Unless the International Criminal Court (ICC) drops its case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United States will retaliate, according to Senator John Thune.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has warned that the ICC and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, will face US sanctions if they proceed with their pursuit of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
Khan previously indicated his intention to file charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for alleged “crimes against humanity” in Gaza.
“The ICC and its prosecutor must reverse course on their unwarranted and illegal pursuit of arrest warrants against Israeli officials, or the Senate will immediately enact sanctions legislation, following the House’s bipartisan passage of similar measures,” Thune stated Monday.
“If Majority Leader [Chuck] Schumer fails to act, the Senate Republican majority will prioritize supporting our key ally, Israel, by making this and other supportive legislation a top priority in the next Congress,” he added.
Thune, a South Dakota Republican, secured the Senate majority leadership last week, despite criticism from President-elect Donald Trump’s allies regarding his perceived ties to the establishment.
Senator Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, currently leads the Senate, where his party holds a narrow majority. However, the Senate will transition to Republican control in January with the seating of newly elected senators.
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has already approved legislation imposing visa cancellations and financial restrictions on ICC officials prosecuting US “allies.” The bill passed 247-155, with 42 Democrats voting in favor. President Joe Biden, however, voiced strong opposition to the measure.
A 2002 law empowers the US president to employ “all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any US or allied personnel being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of” the ICC. This law is informally known as the ‘Hague Invasion Act’.
The ICC has yet to act on Khan’s request. Israel has killed the three Hamas leaders in question, and Netanyahu dismissed Gallant last month.