U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has questioned the "legitimacy and impartiality" of an International Criminal Court investigation that has led to a request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
ICC prosecutor, Karim Khan, was scheduled to visit Israel next week to discuss the investigation and hear the Israeli government's views, Blinken said. ICC officials were set to fly to Israel on Monday, May 20, to arrange Khan's visit.
However, Israel was informed that the delegation would not travel after Karim Khan announced his decision in an interview with CNN.
“These and other circumstances call into question the legitimacy and impartiality of the investigation,” Blinken stated, adding that the U.S. believes the ICC does not have jurisdiction in this matter.
Blinken said the U.S. "strongly rejects" the ICC's request to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders as well as Hamas leaders. He added that this move jeopardizes ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire, facilitate the release of hostages, and increase humanitarian aid to Gazans.
