Lawmakers in the United States have slammed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC's) decision to seek arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials accused of war crimes in Gaza with some Republicans threatening to impose "consequences" against the international tribunal, reports Al Jazeera.
Joe Biden was less confrontational in his opposition to Monday's announcement from ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, but the US president still labelled the move "outrageous."
Khan is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as well as three senior Hamas officials.
Khan accused the Israeli leaders of bearing "criminal responsibility" for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, including intentional attacks against civilians, willful killings and starvation of civilians as a weapon of war.
The response in Washington, DC – where Israel enjoys staunch support among lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties – was swift.
Republican Senator Tom Cotton said Monday’s announcement shows that the ICC — which is tasked with investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity and other atrocities — is “a farce”.
"My colleagues and I look forward to make sure neither Khan, his associates nor their families will ever set foot again in the United States," Cotton wrote on X.
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