Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has sharply condemned the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister and a former Defense Minister. In a passionate post on his verified Twitter account, Graham described the ICC as a “dangerous joke” and charged it with acting recklessly and unjustly.
The senator condemned the arrest warrants, pointing out that they were issued despite serious allegations of misconduct against the prosecutor who sought them. “The International Corrupt Criminal Court has acted in the most absurd and irresponsible manner possible,” Graham wrote, expressing outrage over the Court’s apparent disregard for fundamental fairness and the rule of law.
He also took issue with the ICC for what he saw as inconsistent actions, saying, “One day calling for an independent investigation into the prosecutor’s misconduct and the next issuing a warrant based on his work is a clear vìolation of fairness.” Graham argued that these actions dàmage the institution’s credibility and called for an independent review of the prosecutor’s conduct.
The senator didn’t stop with criticism; he pushed for concrete steps from the U.S. government, urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass bipartisan legislation, already approved by the House, to sanction the ICC. “It’s time for the U.S. Senate to act and hold this irresponsible body accountable,” Graham said, stressing the importance of President Joe Biden signing the legislation into law.
The ICC’s ruling has sparked global debate, particularly because it concerns Israel, a crucial U.S. ally. Detractors claim the arrest warrants are politically motivated, while supporters of the Court defend them as essential for maintaining international justice.