U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that American lawmakers are considering the possibility of imposing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Johnson's statement, the ICC prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant against Netanyahu stems from a "pressure campaign on Israel" being conducted by President Joe Biden's administration.
Johnson stated, "In the absence of White House leadership, Congress is considering all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure that its leadership will face consequences if it proceeds with the arrest warrant." Earlier, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested the pre-trial chamber to issue arrest warrants against three Hamas leaders, as well as against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Khan's statement noted that the prosecution has "reasonable grounds to believe" that Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar, the military wing leader Muhammad Deif, Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, are responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the territories of Israel and Palestine (in Gaza) since October 8, 2023.
