Dems Split Over ICC Arrest Warrants

(IntegrityPress.org) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that it has issued arrest warrants for leaders of the Hamas terrorist organization as well as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan claims that his office has grounds to believe that Hamas and Israeli authorities have carried out actions that would count as war crimes. The move has deepened divisions amongst left-wing politicians as many Democrats have voiced their disapproval of the ICC targeting Israeli politicians.

Rep. Richie Torres (D-N.Y.) blasted the warrants as a punishment for Israel daring to exist as the only Jewish state in the world. His pro-Israel stance is a stark contrast to that of fellow New York Democrat Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez who has recently accused Israel of committing “genocide” by its actions in Gaza. While some far-left members of the party have repeatedly criticized Israel for striking back at Hamas following the October 7 massacre, many others have joined Torres in voicing their support.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused the ICC of being unjust, despite having been a vocal critic of Netanyahu in recent months. Schumer referred to the Israeli Prime Minister as one of main obstacles to peace in the middle east in a speech he made in March. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) warned the ICC that it had destroyed its credibility, and fellow Pennsylvanian Democrat Sen. Bob Casey said that there could be “no equivalence” between Hamas and the Israeli authorities.

Pro-Israel Democrats are not alone in their outrage against the ICC, with many Republicans also speaking out against the decision. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ar.) had written a letter to the ICC last month along with 11 other Republicans in which he warned the ICC that arrest warrants against the Israelis would result in sanctions. Cotton reiterated his stance on Monday, May 20, after the announcement of the warrants. He called the ICC a “farce” and condemned the organization for equating Hamas leaders with Israel’s leaders.