Joe Biden continues to pledge “ironclad” support for Israel. Here’s how he reacted to the International Criminal Court’s request for arrest warrants for the Israeli PM and his statement.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan KC has requested arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime minister and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for alleged war crimes.
On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden strongly defended Israel, stating that Israeli forces are not committing genocide in their military campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza, rejecting criticism from pro-Palestinian protesters. Joe Biden has said “what is happening in Gaza is not genocide. We reject that” Mr Biden said at a Jewish American Heritage Month event at the White House.
Biden has faced protests at many of his events across the country and even increasingly from his own political party and from pro-Palestinian advocates, who have labeled him “Genocide Joe” for his unwavering support of Israel. The US president branded the warrant request as “outrageous,” adding “whatever this prosecutor might imply, there is no equivalence – none – between Israel and Hamas.”
He said U.S. support for the safety and security of Israelis is “ironclad.” “We stand with Israel to take out (Hamas leader Yahya) Sinwar and the rest of the butchers of Hamas. We want Hamas defeated. We’re working with Israel to make that happen,” he said.
Israel’s Netanhayu Reacts To This News
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister has said in response: “As prime minister of Israel, I reject with disgust the Hague prosecutor’s comparison between democratic Israel and the mass murderers of Hamas.”
“With what audacity do you compare Hamas that murdered, burned, butchered, decapitated, raped and kidnapped our brothers and sisters and the IDF soldiers fighting a just war. No pressure and no decision in any international forum will prevent us from striking those who seek to destroy us.”
The Alleged Charges & Grounds As Per ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan
Regarding Mr. Netanyahu and his defense minister, Mr. Gallant, Mr. Khan stated that he has reasonable grounds to believe they also “bear criminal responsibility” for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
He explicitly listed the alleged crimes, including “starvation of civilians” and “intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population”.
“We submit that the crimes against humanity charged were committed as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Palestinian civilian population pursuant to state policy. These crimes, in our assessment, continue to this day,” he said.
South Africa, France & Belgium Support The Request
South Africa, taking the lead in a genocide case against Israel, welcomed the news that Mr. Khan was seeking the arrest of Israeli and Hamas leaders. “The law must be applied equally to all in order to uphold the international rule of law,” the office of South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said.
France and Belgium too each released statements supporting the ICC’s request for the arrest warrants. “France supports the International Criminal Court, its independence, and the fight against impunity in all situations,” its foreign ministry said in a statement late Monday.
Around the same time Belgium’s foreign minister Hadja Lahbib posted on X: “Crimes committed in Gaza must be prosecuted at the highest level, regardless of the perpetrators.”
Source: Sky News, Reuters
