The White House declined to support proposed sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it opted to seek arrest warrants for Israeli officials for alleged “war crimes” as the country battles the terrorist group Hamas.
“We do not believe that sanctions against the ICC are the right approach here, no,” John Kirby, coordinator of the National Security Council (NSC), said at a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.
He reiterated that the Biden administration “does not believe the ICC has jurisdiction” and that they do not support the arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
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President Joe Biden addresses the National Action Network Convention remotely from the White House South Court Auditorium, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The ICC requested the arrest warrants, in addition to similar arrest warrants for Hamas leaders. Israeli and Hamas leaders were accused by the body of committing “war crimes.”
Despite objecting to the ICC's move, Kirby said the Biden administration does not think “sanctions against the ICC are the answer.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan (right).
The White House's position on possible sanctions comes as both the House of Representatives and the Senate make policy recommendations in response to the ICC.
Last week, a key bipartisan group led by Senators Mike Rounds, R-S.D., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., recommended. visa bans for ICC officials and sanctions against the international body. The group consisted of Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., John Fetterman, D-Penn., and Bob Casey, D-Penn.
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Sens. Joe Manchin and Mike Rounds are leading a bipartisan group pursuing a resolution rejecting the ICC's Israeli warrants and proposing sanctions against the body. (Getty Images)
The introduced Senate provision also aimed to formally reject the ICC's actions.
In the House of Representatives, Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Brian Mast, R-Fla., have introduced a measure that would force the president to impose sanctions on the ICC if the court goes after U.S. allies such as Israel. that do not fall under its jurisdiction.
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Rep. Chip Roy is among lawmakers leading a bill to sanction the ICC after reports it could issue arrest warrants for top Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu. (Getty Images)
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According to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as I understand it, there are ongoing discussions between Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks, and the goal is to reach a bipartisan consensus regarding to the International Criminal Court. ”
However, now that the White House has ruled out sanctions, it is unclear whether the US will take action in response to the ICC.
Elizabeth Elkind of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
