US Congress considers sanctions against ICC

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said US lawmakers are considering imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It is estimated that more than 35,000 people have died since Israel attacked the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Photo: REUTERS

According to Tass, Mr. Johnson's statement said: "In the absence of leadership from the White House, the US Congress will consider all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure that the court's leadership faces consequences if they proceed. If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, US leaders could be next. The ICC has no jurisdiction over Israel or the US, and today's baseless and illegal decision will face global condemnation." The US House Speaker said that the ICC's move was equating Israeli officials with Hamas.

On May 20, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested that the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and three Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. According to Khan, based on the available evidence, the prosecution has reasonable grounds to believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Mr. Galant are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Gaza Strip since at least October 8, 2023.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters, speaking at the American Jewish Heritage Month event at the White House, US President J. Biden opposed the ICC prosecutor's request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, saying that "what is happening (in Gaza) is not genocide". Mr. Biden said the White House rejected the ICC prosecutor's attempt to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the country's defense minister; affirmed continued support for the Israeli military campaign, and pledged to free the hostages held by Hamas in the attack on October 7, 2023.

KHANH MINH

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/quoc-hoi-my-xem-xet-trung-phat-icc-post740914.html