Thune vows sanctions if ICC targets Netanyahu, Israeli officials 

[Lauren Taylor]

THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT IS FACING SIGNIFICANT BACKLASH FROM U-S LAWMAKERS OVER ITS POTENTIAL WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST TOP ISRAELI LEADERS, INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU. AS TENSIONS RISE, THE INCOMING SENATE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER JOHN THUNE IS THREATENING SWIFT ACTION.

THUNE ISSUED A STARK WARNING TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT… THREATENING U-S SANCTIONS IF THE I-C-C PROCEEDS WITH ARREST WARRANTS AGAINST ISRAELI OFFICIALS FOR ALLEGED WAR CRIMES DURING THE ONGOING CONFLICT IN GAZA.  

THE I-C-C’S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, KARIM KHAN, REQUESTED THESE WARRANTS, NAMING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER YOAV GALLANT, AND THREE HAMAS LEADERS WHOM HAVE SINCE BEEN KILLED. KHAN ALLEGES WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY WERE COMMITTED DURING THE CONFLICT.  

KHAN HIMSELF IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS CREDIBILITY AND PROMPTING CALLS FROM SOME U-S LAWMAKERS TO DELAY ANY ICC ACTION UNTIL THE ALLEGATIONS ARE RESOLVED. KHAN DENIES THE ACCUSATIONS, LABELING THEM PART OF A MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN.  

THE I-C-C’S PURSUIT OF ISRAELI OFFICIALS HAS LONG BEEN A SOURCE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN THE U-S AND THE COURT. IN 2020, PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON I-C-C OFFICIALS FOR TARGETING ISRAEL. PRESIDENT BIDEN LATER LIFTED THOSE SANCTIONS, BUT THE REPUBLICAN-LED HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION IN JUNE TO REINSTATE THEM.  

THUNE, ALONG WITH OTHER REPUBLICAN SENATORS, IS URGING THE CURRENT SENATE LEADERSHIP TO ACT NOW. IN A RECENT POST ON X, HE SAYS IF DEMOCRATS, LED BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER, FAIL TO BRING THE SANCTIONS BILL TO A VOTE, REPUBLICANS WILL PRIORITIZE IT WHEN THEY TAKE CONTROL OF CONGRESS IN JANUARY.  

SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS STRESSED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL, CALLING THE ICC’S ACTIONS “UNLAWFUL.” MEANWHILE, HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON CRITICIZED SCHUMER FOR DELAYING ACTION, EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR UNITY IN STANDING WITH ISRAEL.  

AS THE DEBATE CONTINUES, ISRAEL HAS DISMISSED THE I-C-C CHARGES AS ANTISEMITIC, FILING COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE IMPARTIALITY OF A JUDGE INVOLVED IN THE CASE. MEANWHILE, THE I-C-C PANEL REVIEWING THESE WARRANTS HAS NO SET DEADLINE BUT TYPICALLY TAKES ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO DECIDE.  

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.

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