In a show of lunacy, the International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu so they can charge him with war crimes and crimes against humanity, just as the seek an arrest warrant for members of the terror group Hamas who started this war with an attack on Israel October 7th. It is the first time the ICC has targeted the leader of a close U.S. Ally.
The charges against Netanyahu include “causing extermination, causing starvation as a method of war, including the denial of humanitarian relief supplies, deliberately targeting civilians in conflict” according to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. An ICC panel will consider the application.
Back in April, Netanyahu asked U.S. president Joe Biden for help to prevent this warrant from occurring.
Today, we have David Rubin, former mayor of Shiloh, Israel, an expert on Israeli politics and security, to discuss the implications of this decision and what it means for U.S.-Israel relations and Israel’s efforts against Hamas.
Welcome, David.
Q&A:
1. Why would the ICC issue a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?
2. Should the ICC panel agree to the warrant, what happens next? Do they have any real power over Israeli officials?
3. Is this anything more than a charade to garner negative attention for Israel?
4. Does it seem particularly egregious that they would lump Netanyahu in with their arrest warrants for members of the terror group who attacked Netanyahu’s country?
5. Has anything come of the request that President Biden show support to his allies in Israel?
6. What do you think about Amal Clooney (George Clooney’s wife) making the push for the arrest?
A: From Newsweek in early May: https://www.newsweek.com/netanyahu-war-crimes-investigation-puts-biden-tough-spot-1897718
6. What do you suspect Joe Biden will do from here?
David Rubin is the former mayor of Shiloh, Israel, and a noted author and speaker on Israeli politics and security. He is also the founder of the Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, dedicated to healing the trauma of children who have been victims of terrorist attacks.
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