Tom Cotton Threatens to Invade Holland to Protect Israel’s Government From ICC Arrest Warrant
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) suggested the United States could invade Holland to protect Israeli government officials from an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
The ICC issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, charging the officials with war crimes and crimes against Humanity in the Gaza region.
After the warrants were issued, Cotton sent out a statement via X, formerly Twitter, where he claimed the ICC is a “kangaroo court” and called the organization’s top prosecutor a “deranged fanatic.”
“The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic. Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants,” Cotton wrote to his followers on X.
The ICC is a kangaroo court and Karim Khan is a deranged fanatic. Woe to him and anyone who tries to enforce these outlaw warrants. Let me give them all a friendly reminder: the American law on the ICC is known as The Hague Invasion Act for a reason. Think about it.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) November 21, 2024
He added, “Let me give them all a friendly reminder: the American law on the ICC is known as The Hague Invasion Act for a reason. Think about it.”
The law in question refers to the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, which gives the president the legal authority to use “all means necessary and appropriate to bring about the release of any U.S. or allied personnel being detained or imprisoned by, on behalf of, or at the request of the International Criminal Court.”
Meanwhile, other world leaders have vowed to uphold the warrant issued by the ICC including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who vowed to “abide” by ICC rulings for the Israeli prime minister.
Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, an outspoken critic of Israel’s government, reacted to the warrant by claiming Netanyahu would not be welcomed in the town.
“Our president may not take action, but city leaders can ensure Netanyahu and other war criminals are not welcome to travel freely across these United States,” said Hammoud.
The Biden administration issued a statement “fundamentally” rejecting the ICC’s warrants for the Israeli leaders. The White House is also cooperating with Israel on a response to the ICC.
