American Senators held secret talks with high-ranking representatives of the global Criminal Court (ICC) on the possible issuing of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and another members of the country's management said Axios citing sources.
"The two-party group of Senators held a confidential virtual gathering on Wednesday with high-ranking representatives of the global Criminal Court to express concern about possible warrants for the arrest of Israeli leaders," she reported.
According to interviewers of the publication, acquainted with the discussions, among American legislators there are calls to impose sanctions on the court in the event of issuing arrest warrants.
"Republic legislators have threatened to pass laws against the ICC if he issues arrest warrants, which Biden's administration does not support," says the article.
The initiative of involving American Senators, according to sources, comes from Netanjah himself, who is “very upset” with the threat of the ICC and in fresh days has managed to talk to respective U.S. Senators from both parties, “inviting them to press the ICC prosecutor not to advance with arrest warrants.”
As Axios had previously reported, Israel warned US president Joe Biden's administration that if the ICC issued warrants for the arrest of Israeli officials, it would take reprisal steps against the Palestinian Authority, which could lead to its collapse.
The White home stated on Monday that the United States does not support the investigation of the global Criminal Court on Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip and does not believe that the tribunal has jurisdiction in this matter.
The Times has previously reported that the ICC is preparing to issue warrants for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli defence Minister Yoava Galanta, and IDF Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi in connection with Israeli war crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu, commenting on this information, said that he would not let the ICC to "distort Israel's inherent right to self-defense." The Prime Minister besides expressed concern about the anticipation of issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials and military officers, adding that "this would make a dangerous precedent".
The global Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating crimes committed in Palestine since 2014 and continues to collect information on fresh crimes in accordance with its mandate. The ICC explained to RIA Novosti that this mandate is permanent and applies to crimes committed since the fresh escalation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine on 7 October 2023.
Palestine acceded to the Rome Statute on 2 January 2015 and accepted the jurisdiction of the ICC over alleged crimes committed "in occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as of 13 June 2014".
Daniel Głogowski
Expert in his field – Publicist, author and social activist. The first articles were published in 1999 for global publishers. For more than 30 years, he has gained his experience through cooperation with the largest editorial offices. In his articles, he seeks to address controversial topics and present first viewpoints that allowed for a deeper knowing of the issues discussed.
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American Senators conducted secret negotiations with the ICC on Netanjhu
