George Clooney, the renowned actor and husband of human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, recently contacted a top White House official to express his concerns after President Biden criticized the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek a warrant against top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza. The warrant requests were based on accusations of illegal conduct leading to civilian deaths.
Clooney’s protest, made via text message to counselor Steve Ricchetti, did not sway U.S. policy, according to a senior administration official. However, it highlights the challenges faced by President Biden in balancing support for Israel with pressure from the American left.
Despite this controversy, Clooney is set to attend a high-dollar fundraiser for Biden in June, alongside former Presidents Obama and Clinton. While a spokesman for Clooney declined to comment on the interaction with Ricchetti, he confirmed the actor’s intention to attend the event.
Amal Clooney, who previously worked on the court’s investigation, co-signed an op-ed stating that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Israeli leaders had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. This led to a House vote imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court, a move opposed by Biden due to its broad impact on court officials and witnesses.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics at play in U.S. foreign policy, with bipartisan support for sanctions against the ICC revealing divisions within the Democratic coalition. As tensions continue to rise, the Clooneys’ involvement adds a high-profile dimension to the ongoing debate over accountability and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.