Israel-Hamas Conflict Escalates on May 22, 2024

US House Speaker Mike Johnson to Discuss Response to ICC with Netanyahu

US House Speaker Mike Johnson is set to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday following the announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it is seeking an arrest warrant for the Israeli leader. The call comes at a crucial time as the US House weighs its response to the ICC’s decision.

In preparation for the call, Johnson revealed that he had already spoken with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and agreed to sign the invitation for Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. This move signals a united front in support of Israel amidst the ICC’s actions.

Johnson emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that House Republican leaders are delving into the details of how to respond to the ICC’s decision. He confirmed that they are considering sanctions as a potential course of action in response to the arrest warrant sought by the international tribunal.

In a statement, Johnson expressed the gravity of the situation, saying, “Very clearly, this is a great threat to the international community and to our allies, and to us, ultimately, as explained earlier, so we’re getting down to the fine points of that. And hopefully it will be a bipartisan bill and that everybody will be able to stand together on that. I think we need to start to send a strong message to the world that this is completely, wildly inappropriate, and we’re not going to stand for it.”

Meanwhile, GOP Rep. Michael McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, also plans to engage with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday to discuss potential legislation to sanction the ICC. This coordinated effort underscores the seriousness with which US lawmakers are approaching the situation.

It is important to note that the ICC is seeking arrest warrants not only for Netanyahu but also for Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as three Hamas leaders: Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (also known as Mohammed Deif), and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ political leader.

The upcoming conversation between Speaker Johnson and Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to be a pivotal moment in determining the US response to the ICC’s actions. The outcome of their discussion could have far-reaching implications for US-Israel relations and the broader international community.

As the situation continues to evolve, CNN will provide updates on any developments arising from the discussions between US and Israeli officials. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this developing story.

CNN’s Morgan Rimmer, Ivana Kottasová, Madalena Araujo, and Lauren Fox contributed to this report. This post has been updated with additional information.