Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a member of the “Squad,” called for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials for violations of the Genocide Convention under international law. Tlaib criticized the U.S. for providing over $14 billion in funding to Israel without any conditions on upholding human rights, which she believed enabled the ground invasion of Rafah. She accused Israeli forces of killing over 35,000 Palestinians and displacing families in Rafah, leading to extreme human suffering. Tlaib urged the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials to hold them accountable for what she deemed as genocide.
Tlaib also called out her colleagues for expressing concern over the situation in Rafah while voting in favor of providing Netanyahu with means to continue the violence. She accused the U.S. of actively participating in genocide by funding Israel’s actions. Tlaib emphasized the need for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, as well as the release of all hostages and detained Palestinians. She urged President Biden to end all U.S. military funding for Israel and demand accountability for the atrocities committed in Rafah.
Despite Tlaib’s calls for action, 12 U.S. senators warned the International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan against issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials. The senators argued that such actions would be illegitimate and lacked a legal basis, as they believed Israel was acting in self-defense against Iranian-backed aggressors. They warned Khan that any actions against Israel would result in severe sanctions, questioning the legitimacy of the ICC and its double standards in targeting Israel.
The senators’ letter reminded Khan that Israel and the U.S. are not members of the ICC, so any action taken against them would be outside the organization’s jurisdiction. They cautioned Khan that targeting Israel would also mean targeting the U.S., and vowed to end American support for the ICC, sanction its employees, and prevent Khan and his family from entering the U.S. The letter emphasized the importance of respecting Israel’s sovereignty and the partnership between the U.S. and its allies, threatening severe consequences for politicized attacks by the ICC.
Tlaib’s office did not respond to requests for comment on whether Hamas leaders who were responsible for atrocities in Israel should also be held accountable and arrested. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Rafah has raised international attention, with accusations of genocide and violations of international law on both sides. The stark differences in perspectives between Tlaib and the U.S. senators highlight the complexities and controversial nature of conflicts in the Middle East and the challenges in achieving justice and peace in the region.
