US Rejects ICC's Arrest Warrants Against Israeli Leaders, Calls Move "Outrageous

In a recent statement, US President Joe Biden condemned the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. Biden called the ICC’s move “outrageous,” emphasising that there is no moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas, both of which are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ICC’s warrants mark the first time leaders from a democracy and a Western-aligned state have been charged by the court. While the US has supported ICC actions in other cases, such as those involving Russian officials over atrocities in Ukraine, it has sharply criticised the court’s jurisdiction and processes in the Israeli context.

The US government is now considering its next steps in response, with concerns over the timing of the arrest warrants and their potential impact on ongoing negotiations involving hostages and ceasefire efforts.