US Senators Meet With ICC Over Israel Prosecution

(NewsInsights.org) – Recent reports suggest that Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have become increasingly concerned that International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors could seek arrest warrants against their leaders. In response, a bipartisan group of US senators reportedly met with senior ICC officials on May 1 to discuss their concerns.

Magistrates with the International Criminal Court (ICC) began investigating in Gaza and other Palestinian-occupied areas of Israel in 2021 after the Palestinian state requested the court’s intervention. Investigators extended their probe as far back as 2014. Yet, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan KC took a heightened interest in the investigation after the October 7 Hamas attack.

Despite current concerns about charges the ICC might proffer against Israeli officials, Palestinian leaders notably accused Khan of bias against them in early December after he visited Gaza and talked with victims. Yet, some GOP lawmakers may have preemptively threatened Khan and other ICC operatives on social media with sanctions should the court issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.

Sens. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) submitted legislation in February 2023 supporting the sanction of ICC prosecutors and aides who investigate or prosecute US troops, officials, or allies, including Israel, who don’t recognize the ICC’s authority. They pointed out that the ICC holds no jurisdiction over the US or any country that doesn’t recognize its authority.

On X, formerly Twitter, Khan posted a statement on May 3 chastising anyone attempting to influence the court’s decisions through intimidation or corrupt influence. While the prosecutor didn’t specify any names, the statement came on the heels of his meeting with the US senators. Khan called for an immediate cease to “all attempts to impede, intimidate or improperly influence” ICC officials.

Neither the US nor Israel are ICC members, and both have lodged past objections to the court’s overreach. Additionally, a White House National Security spokesperson told media outlets that “the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation, and we do not support its investigation.” However, nearly a week after the senators met with ICC officials, the court hasn’t moved toward issuing warrants.