Thune threatens International Criminal Court with sanctions if it doesn’t drop Netanyahu warrant for arrest

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Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, issued a stern warning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sunday, threatening to impose sanctions if the court did not drop its application for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Thune, who is set to become the next Senate Majority Leader in January 2025, urged the current Democratic leader to take action against the ICC. He stated, “If the ICC and its prosecutor do not reverse their outrageous and unlawful actions to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli officials, the Senate should immediately pass sanctions legislation, as the House has already done on a bipartisan basis.”

In May, the ICC issued applications for arrest warrants against Netanyahu, as well as other Israeli officials and Hamas terrorists, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Thune’s threats align with a bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton in June, calling for sanctions against prosecutors targeting U.S., Israeli, or allied citizens wrongfully pursued by the ICC.

The U.S. has historically opposed the ICC’s authority, as seen in actions taken during the Trump administration in 2020. Sanctions were imposed against ICC prosecutors investigating alleged war crimes involving U.S. soldiers and the CIA in Afghanistan. These sanctions were criticized for their potential wide-reaching consequences, affecting service providers and individuals working with the ICC.

Richard Goldberg, a former White House National Security Council member, emphasized the effectiveness of sanctions in deterring the ICC’s actions. He suggested that targeting the ICC as a whole, rather than individual prosecutors, may be more impactful in dissuading further pursuits against U.S. and Israeli officials.

The decision on arrest warrants by the ICC is awaited, with uncertainties around the timeline for a ruling. The potential consequences of sanctions against the ICC may lead to pressure from countries like Japan and Germany, influencing the court’s actions.

As the situation unfolds, lawmakers and stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to safeguard the interests of U.S. and Israeli officials. Stay updated on the latest news and insights by joining Fox News for exclusive content and premium access.