Russia accuses United States of hypocrisy regarding ICC and Israel | Global News

Russia has accused the United States of hypocrisy for opposing the International Criminal Court’s investigation of Israel while supporting the court’s warrant for the arrest of President Vladimir Putin. The ICC is currently looking into Hamas’ cross-border attack on Israel and Israel’s military assault on Gaza.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the United States does not support the ICC’s investigation of Israel and does not believe the court has jurisdiction in this matter. However, President Joe Biden previously endorsed the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Putin, citing alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the US for backing ICC warrants against Russian leaders while denying the court’s legitimacy in relation to itself and its allies. The Kremlin has dismissed the warrant against Putin as legally void, arguing that Russia is not a signatory to the ICC treaty.

Meanwhile, Israel, which is not a member of the ICC, expressed concerns about potential arrest warrants for its top officials for alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that ICC decisions would not impact Israel’s actions but could set a dangerous precedent.

Israeli officials also fear that the ICC may issue arrest warrants for Hamas leaders. The ongoing tensions between Russia, the United States, Israel, and the ICC highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in international justice and accountability.