Falcon powers – According to Axios, members of both parties in the U.S. Congress are threatening the International Criminal Court (ICC) with “retaliatory measures” if it issues arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials.
The website added that Michael McCaul, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Axios that he is waiting for the House version of Senator Tom Cotton’s bill, which imposes sanctions on ICC officials involved in investigations against the United States and its allies. McCaul expressed hope that the situation does not escalate to that point.
The website also mentioned that Republican Congressman Ritchie Torres from New York and Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania criticized the potential arrest warrants by the ICC. Torres called for severe consequences from Congress and President Joe Biden.
Earlier, the Times reported that the ICC is preparing to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, based on allegations of war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu stated that he will not allow any attempt by the ICC to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense and warned that the possibility of issuing arrest warrants against Israeli officials and military personnel would set a dangerous precedent.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that Washington and its allies are concerned that these arrest warrants could hinder reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
