EXCLUSIVE: "You Have Been Warned": Republican Senators Threaten the ICC Prosecutor over Possible Israel Arrest Warrants

[Passages]

Law and Order Republicans


Read the full letter, obtained by Zeteo, which threatens sanctions in defense of Netanyahu.


TEAM ZETEO AND MEHDI HASAN
MAY 06, 2024

A group of influential Republican senators has sent a letter to International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan, warning him not to issue international arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, and threatening him with “severe sanctions” if he does so.

In a terse, one-page letter obtained exclusively by Zeteo, and signed by 12 GOP senators, including Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Florida’s Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz of Texas, Khan is informed that any attempt by the ICC to hold Netanyahu and his colleagues to account for their actions in Gaza will be interpreted “not only as a threat to Israel’s sovereignty but to the sovereignty of the United States.”

SNIP:
In a statement to Zeteo, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said, “It is fine to express opposition to a possible judicial action, but it is absolutely wrong to interfere in a judicial matter by threatening judicial officers, their family members and their employees with retribution. This thuggery is something befitting the mafia, not U.S. senators.”

https://zeteo.com/p/exclusive-you-have-been-warned-republican

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Since when did 3 or 4 RW Senators get to set US foreign policy or sanctions?

Plus they were elected to conduct the business of the people of their state, not run the world.

[Passages]

2. I would like to think this is a new low, but when you look at how they protected Trump

it should not surprise anyone.

[dutch777]

3. Meaningless letter to the ICC but telling of these senators. The ICC should charge Hamas leaders at the same..

time. If they charge only Israelis, makes the accusations of anti-Israeli bias that much more credible.

[Beastly Boy]

5. That should have been ICC's response to the rumors that they are considering charges against Israeli oficials

In my opinion, they missed an opportunity to reinforce their legitimacy.

[Passages]

6. They don't seem to appreciate any threat/intimidation.

"Such threats, even not acted upon, may constitute an offence" against the ICC's "administration of justice", it warned, calling for an end to such activity.

Khan's office declined to say where the threats had come from and which investigation was concerned, when questioned by AFP.

US and Israeli media reports have suggested the ICC prosecutor could issue warrants against both Israeli politicians -- including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- and Hamas leaders.

Netanyahu said Wednesday on X that the ICC was "contemplating issuing arrest warrants against senior Israeli government and military officials as war criminals".

"This would be an outrage of historic proportions," he said, alleging that the ICC was "trying to put Israel in the dock".

The Axios news outlet has reported that Israel warned Washington it would take retaliatory steps against the Palestinian Authority that could lead to its collapse if the ICC issues arrest warrants.

US members of Congress had also warned of retaliation by Washington, Axios reported.

The United States says it also opposes the ICC probe into Israel's conduct in Gaza, arguing it has no jurisdiction.
The White House reiterated that position on Friday, while condemning any threats against the ICC.
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240503-icc-warns-against-retaliation-threats

[patphil]

4. These Senators have no power to influence the actions of the ICC.

The US is not a state party of the Rome Statute, which created the ICC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_and_the_International_Criminal_Court

[Passages]

7. It's not about the power but the presence to lay out threats in public as U.S.senators.

I have no doubt those who signed knew their objective.

ICC warns against 'threats'

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240503-icc-warns-against-retaliation-threats