Israel’s Covert War on the ICC
Truth DigMay 21
House Votes To Sanction ICC Over Netanyahu's Arrest Warrant
Above: Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan during press conference on September 14, 2023 in Kyiv. Image copyright: Vitalii Nosach/Contributor/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
The US House voted 247-155 Tuesday to pass a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The vote is reportedly the House's first move against the ICC's top prosecutor, Karim Khan, who had requested arrest warrants for Israel and Hamas leaders last month.
The Spin
Pro-Israel narrative
Biden's opposition to the bill punishing the ICC for its prosecutor's ridiculous move to seek Netanyahu's arrest is surprising, given the bipartisan support the US is supposed to have extended to Israel. Israel isn't an aggressor, and Netanyahu isn't a criminal. Failure of the bill due to a lack of support from the top would send a muddled message to Israelis and the world.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The importance of the ICC's role in addressing international crimes needs to be emphasized at this moment in history, keeping in mind the context of the US' own support and assistance to the organization. Biden must reject legislative efforts to undermine the ICC and reaffirm America's support for independent international justice mechanisms.