Thursday morning began with news that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Oh, and for good measure, a warrant was included for Mohammed Deif, a Hamas leader thought to be one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks in Israel. Who also happens to be dead.
As streiff observed:
The fact that the ICC ignored Hamas’ responsibility for the October 7 massacre until they could slop in a healthy dose of “bothsidesism” by condemning those settler-colonists shows what a monumentally unserious organization the ICC is.
And, as he further points out, there is the issue that the ICC’s mouth might be writing checks its rear can’t cash, given that an attempt to detain Netanyahu might well invite a direct confrontation with the U.S. pursuant to the American Service-Members’ Protection Act.
READ MORE: International Criminal Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu
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Now, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is turning up the heat on current Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), calling upon him to advance the ICC sanctions bill, which has already passed in the House on a bipartisan basis.
Taking to the Senate floor Thursday, Thune had this to say:
“Mr. President, before I begin, I’d like to say a word about the International Criminal Court’s issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant. The ICC’s decision is outrageous, unlawful, and dangerous. Israel has a right to defend itself, and the ICC’s rogue actions only enable the terrorists who seek to wipe Israel off the map. These actions threaten Israel, but left unchecked, they could pose a threat to the United States in the future.
The Senate needs to stand strongly with our ally at this time. I am again calling on Leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed with bipartisan support. Last night, the Senate sent a strong bipartisan message of support for Israel by rejecting resolutions that would have denied to Israel the lethal aid that they need. Now, the Democrat leader needs to bring up the ICC sanctions bill. If he chooses not to act, the new Senate Republican majority next year will.
We will stand with Israel and make this bill, and other supportive legislation, a top priority in the next Congress. In six weeks, Republicans will retake the majority here. And when we do, we will make it clear that the United States stands squarely in Israel’s corner.”
Your move, Chuck. Let’s see where your priorities lie.
