WASHINGTON: The Biden administration is willing to work with Congress to respond to the International Criminal Court prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over the Gaza war, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday, amid Republican calls for US sanctions against court officials.
Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Blinken called the move “profoundly wrong-headed” and said it would complicate the prospects of reaching a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said on Monday he had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s defense chief and three Hamas leaders “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Both President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and his political opponents have sharply criticized Khan’s announcement, arguing the court does not have jurisdiction over the Gaza conflict and raising concerns over process.
The United States is not a member of the court, but has supported past prosecutions, including the ICC’s decision last year to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.
“We’ll be happy to work with Congress, with this committee, on an appropriate response” to the ICC move, Blinken said on Tuesday.
He did not say what a response to the ICC move might include.
In a later hearing, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Blinken he hoped to work together with the administration to express the United States’ opposition to the ICC prosecutor.
“What I hope to happen is that we level sanctions against the ICC for this outrage, to not only help our friends in Israel but protect ourself over time,” said Graham.
Republican members of Congress have previously threatened legislation to impose sanctions on the ICC, but a measure cannot become law without support from President Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats, who control the Senate.
In 2020, then-President Donald Trump’s administration accused the ICC of infringing on US national sovereignty when it authorized an investigation into war crimes committed in Afghanistan. The US targeted court staff, including then-prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, with asset freezes and travel bans.
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Blinken says he’ll work with US Congress to respond to ICC move on Gaza
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Blinken says he’ll work with US Congress to respond to ICC move on Gaza
- The United States is not a member of the court, but has supported past prosecutions, including the ICC’s decision last year to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine
Australia calls on Trump to respect NATO soldiers
- ‘Those 47 Australian families who will be hurting by these comments, they deserve our absolute respect, our admiration’
- US President Donald Trump lamented efforts of non-US troops in Afghanistan as ‘completely unacceptable’
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday that comments from US President Donald Trump lamenting the efforts of non-US troops in Afghanistan were “completely unacceptable.”
Trump said in a Fox News interview that NATO sent “some troops” but “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
Trump appeared to be partially walking back his remarks on Saturday amid growing outrage from European and now Australian allies.
Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning, Albanese said Australian families of fallen soldiers would be “hurting” as a result of Trump’s comments.
“Those 47 Australian families who will be hurting by these comments, they deserve our absolute respect, our admiration,” Albanese said.
“The bravery that was shown by 40,000 Australians (who) served in Afghanistan, they were certainly on the frontlines in order to, along with our other allies, defend democracy and freedom and to defend our national interests,” he added.
“They deserve our respect.”
On Saturday, a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump’s remarks as “appalling,” Trump appeared to change his position — at least as far as British troops were concerned.
“The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken.”
Albanese referenced Trump’s later comments, suggesting he also appreciated the Australian effort in Afghanistan.
“I think President Trump’s comments overnight indicate a very different position. He’s acknowledged the contribution,” Albanese told the ABC, but added that Trump’s previous comments were “entirely not appropriate. Completely unacceptable.”
‘I don’t like you either’
Albanese also announced Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States, recommending Greg Moriarty for the job.
Earlier this month, Australia announced its ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, would leave after a three-year tenure overshadowed by Trump’s verdict on him: “I don’t like you either.”
Former Australian prime minister Rudd, who departs his post on March 31 to become president of the Asia Society think tank in New York, had sharply criticized Trump while he was out of office.
Trump expressed disdain for Rudd during a televised US-Australia meeting at the White House in October last year, prompting some Australian opposition calls for his posting to be ended.
Albanese said Moriarty was an “outstanding Australian public servant,” and he had consulted with the Trump administration on his selection.
Trump said in a Fox News interview that NATO sent “some troops” but “stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
Trump appeared to be partially walking back his remarks on Saturday amid growing outrage from European and now Australian allies.
Speaking on the ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday morning, Albanese said Australian families of fallen soldiers would be “hurting” as a result of Trump’s comments.
“Those 47 Australian families who will be hurting by these comments, they deserve our absolute respect, our admiration,” Albanese said.
“The bravery that was shown by 40,000 Australians (who) served in Afghanistan, they were certainly on the frontlines in order to, along with our other allies, defend democracy and freedom and to defend our national interests,” he added.
“They deserve our respect.”
On Saturday, a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Trump’s remarks as “appalling,” Trump appeared to change his position — at least as far as British troops were concerned.
“The GREAT and very BRAVE soldiers of the United Kingdom will always be with the United States of America!” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“In Afghanistan, 457 died, many were badly injured, and they were among the greatest of all warriors. It’s a bond too strong to ever be broken.”
Albanese referenced Trump’s later comments, suggesting he also appreciated the Australian effort in Afghanistan.
“I think President Trump’s comments overnight indicate a very different position. He’s acknowledged the contribution,” Albanese told the ABC, but added that Trump’s previous comments were “entirely not appropriate. Completely unacceptable.”
‘I don’t like you either’
Albanese also announced Australia’s next Ambassador to the United States, recommending Greg Moriarty for the job.
Earlier this month, Australia announced its ambassador to the United States, Kevin Rudd, would leave after a three-year tenure overshadowed by Trump’s verdict on him: “I don’t like you either.”
Former Australian prime minister Rudd, who departs his post on March 31 to become president of the Asia Society think tank in New York, had sharply criticized Trump while he was out of office.
Trump expressed disdain for Rudd during a televised US-Australia meeting at the White House in October last year, prompting some Australian opposition calls for his posting to be ended.
Albanese said Moriarty was an “outstanding Australian public servant,” and he had consulted with the Trump administration on his selection.
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