Washington: US President Joe Biden had a disscussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated his clear stance on a potential invasion of Rafah, a city on the Gaza border. The White House did not provide further details on this part of the conversation. Washington has previously stated it could not support an operation in Rafah without a proper and credible humanitarian plan.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby mentioned earlier that Israel had agreed to consider US concerns and perspectives before proceeding with an invasion. The leaders last spoke on April 13, after Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel. Biden reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
They discussed ongoing efforts to release hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas-led attack and the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. They also addressed increasing aid deliveries and preparing to open new crossings into Gaza. Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining and improving this progress in full cooperation with humanitarian organizations.
The question on many minds today is simple yet profound: Where is President Joe Biden as Israel faces potential legal peril at the hands of the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
The ICC, established to prosecute individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, operates under the Rome Statute. Notably, Israel and the US are not members of the ICC, each for distinct reasons. The US has long been wary of ceding its sovereignty to an international body with broad prosecutorial powers. At the same time, Israel has avoided joining due to ongoing conflicts in the West Bank and Gaza, where the ICC claims jurisdiction.
A recent article in The Jerusalem Post highlighted that the ICC might be poised to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi. This possibility has alarmed Israeli officials, prompting Netanyahu to declare that Israel would never accept any ICC attempt to undermine its inherent right to self-defense.
