Senator Graham Defends Netanyahu, Threatens Countries Backing ICC Warrants

The UK and other countries have been warned by US Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of President elect Donald Trump that they could face penalties if they help the ICC execute arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

This follows a Downing Street statement that implied Netanyahu might be arrested if he enters the UK because of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) warrant.

US Republicans, especially Senator Graham, expressed outrage when the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on suspicion of war crimes in Gaza.

Graham slammed the ICC warrants and said he would draft bills targeting nations that help enforce them in a Friday appearance with Fox News. Graham said that countries like Canada, Germany and France would have to “choose between the ICC and America” if they assisted the ICC in arresting Israeli officials.

He added, “If you are going to help the ICC as a nation and enforce the arrest warrant against Bibi (Netanyahu) and Gallant. I will put sanctions on you as a nation.”

He is still trending for his crushing revert back when asked about the penalty, Graham responded that “We should crush your economy because we’re next. Why can’t they go after Trump or any other American president?”

Senator Tom Cotton’s remarks which refer to the possible use of military force by using the “Hague Invasion Act” highlight a larger GOP position against the ICC. Military intervention to free American or allied personnel held by the ICC is permitted by this U.S. legislation.

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Reason Behind the ICC Warrant:

Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif were all the targets of arrest warrants issued on Thursday by the ICC which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. 

The continuing Israel-Gaza conflict which began with Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7th 2023, is the subject of the arrest warrant which include war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

250 individuals were kidnapped and 1,200 Israelis were killed in the attack. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 44,000 people have died in Gaza as a result of Israel’s ensuing military assault.

Both Netanyahu and Gallant are charged with planning assaults on civilian targets and using food starvation as a weapon of war. Netanyahu called the ICC a biased organization and condemned the accusations as “absurd.”