[2024-05-21] Chair Cardin, Bipartisan Group of Senators Condemn ICC…

WASHINGTON – Right now U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Overseas Relations Committee, Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the next assertion in response to the Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC) saying the choice to use for arrest warrants for democratically-elected Israeli officers.

“These actions by the ICC jeopardize efforts to result in sustainable peace within the Center East. It places in danger delicate negotiations to carry dwelling hostages, together with People, and surge humanitarian help.

“The applying for arrest warrants additionally attracts a false equivalence between Israel with its longstanding dedication to the rule of regulation, and Hamas’ theocratic, autocratic, and unaccountable rule over Gaza. To state the plain: Israel is a functioning democracy, whereas Hamas is a terrorist group.

“Representatives of the ICC had been alleged to be in Israel at the moment to arrange conferences between Israeli officers and ICC Prosecutor Khan’s workforce subsequent week to debate allegations and considerations. This was a course of we inspired, as it’s in line with the precept of complementarity.

“The ICC’s precipitous motion in making use of for arrest warrants on this occasion runs opposite to the promotion of rule of regulation globally; Israel has an extended historical past as a functioning democracy, with an unbiased judiciary and navy justice system. Now we have nice confidence within the Israeli judicial system’s capability to manage justice. The precept of complementarity needs to be honored, permitting a nation’s authorized system to behave first.

 “Appearing at the moment with out partaking the Israeli authorities on these particular considerations calls into query the unbiased method ICC investigations are alleged to have.

“We are going to proceed to work in a bipartisan method to strenuously object to the ICC’s actions in opposition to our ally, Israel, and take applicable steps to assist Israel and shield American personnel from future ICC motion.”

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