(PatriotSpotlight.org) – The House Speaker has admitted U.S. leaders could risk severe repercussions in the wake of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuing of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar will also be pursued for arrests due to their roles in the war in Gaza.
The ICC’s decision, which is unlikely to be enforceable, has sparked a major controversy. Both Netanyahu and Gallant stand accused of “causing extermination” along with denying food and humanitarian supplies. The claims come in the wake of the war which broke out on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1000 civilians and taking some 250 hostages. There have also likely been tens of thousands of casualties in Gaza since last October, although the United Nations has cast doubt on Hamas’ claimed figures.
Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana slammed the ICC and suggested the new precedents the warrants set may endanger current, past, or future American officials. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also responded, condemning the ICC’s decision. He said he rejected the Prosecutor’s apparent equivalence of Israel with Hamas, which he said was “shameful”.
Other U.S. voices have supported the ICC’s actions. Representative Mark Pocan, a Wisconsin Democrat, said he was willing to cooperate with the ICC if Netanyahu were to visit America to address Congress. He said would be “more than glad” to lead the ICC to Netanyahu to issue that warrant. However, he said he would also support the ICC’s actions against Hamas leaders, and reiterated his support for a cease-fire, and the provision of food, water and medicine to Gaza. Supplies have been entering Gaza steadily throughout the conflict, but Hamas and other terror groups have a stranglehold on aid in the areas they control. There is extensive evidence of Hamas stealing aid and violently attacking civilians waiting for it.
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