“We believe that (the International Criminal Court) is not competent” to judge Israeli officials, the White House spokesperson argued this Monday, April 29.
The United States is “not in favor” of a criminal investigation against Israeli officials over the conflict in Gaza, at a time when the latter are worried about possible arrest warrants against them, the door said on Monday, April 29 – White House spokesperson.
“We believe that (the International Criminal Court) is not competent” in the matter, added Karine Jean-Pierre.
“We have always been clear regarding the investigation” carried out by the Hague institution, underlined the spokesperson about this Court.
Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the court, but the Palestinian Authority joined in 2015.
A “dangerous precedent”
According to the Axios website, Benjamin Netanyahu asked US President Joe Biden in a telephone conversation on Sunday to help him prevent arrest warrants, which could target the Israeli Prime Minister himself as well as the minister. of Defense and the Chief of Staff.
Karine Jean-Pierre did not comment on the content of the two leaders’ conversation, saying that it mainly focused on the ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire and a release of hostages held in Gaza.
On April 26, Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on the social network .”
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz told him over the weekend that his country would “not be intimidated.”
An open investigation
The ICC opened an investigation in 2021 into both Israel and Hamas, as well as other Palestinian armed groups, for possible war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories.
The Court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, indicated that this investigation also extended to the hostilities triggered on October 7 by an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israeli soil, following which Israel launched a vast military operation in the Strip. Gaza.
The Court itself has so far made no comment on the possible publication of arrest warrants. The International Criminal Court, which has been operating since 2002, is responsible for prosecuting and judging individuals guilty of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
For example, in March 2023, it issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accused of war crimes in Ukraine.
