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'Baseless and Illegitimate': Speaker Johnson Blasts ICC Arrest Warrants for Israel, Hamas Leaders

'International bureaucrats cannot be allowed to use lawfare to usurp the authority of democratic nations that maintain the rule of law'

Published: May 20, 2024
  |   By Chris Karr
'Baseless and Illegitimate': Speaker Johnson Blasts ICC Arrest Warrants for Israel, Hamas Leaders

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson issued a strong criticism against the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for the leaders of Israel and Hamas.


"The ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and today’s baseless and illegitimate decision should face global condemnation," Johnson wrote in a Monday afternoon X post. "International bureaucrats cannot be allowed to use lawfare to usurp the authority of democratic nations that maintain the rule of law."

"Israel is fighting a just war for survival, and the ICC is attempting to equate Israeli officials to the evil terrorists who perpetrated the October 7th massacre," he continued. "It’s clear the ICC’s decision has been advanced due to the Biden Administration’s pressure campaign against Israel and its outlandish State Department investigations."

"In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress is reviewing all options, including sanctions, to punish the ICC and ensure its leadership faces consequences if they proceed," he added.

Johnson concluded: "If the ICC is allowed to threaten Israeli leaders, ours could be next."


SCNR News previously reported on Monday that the court issued warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

CBS News reports, "The Hamas leaders listed by Khan are the group's overall political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, its military commander in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, and the overall leader of the group's military wing, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri."

"Today we once again underline that international law and the laws of armed conflict apply to all," ICC prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan said in a statement. "No foot soldier, no commander, no civilian leader — no one — can act with impunity. Nothing can justify wilfully depriving human beings, including so many women and children, the basic necessities required for life. Nothing can justify the taking of hostages or the targeting of civilians."


Khan accused Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes that include starvation of civilians as a method of warfare; willfully causing great suffering, serious injury or cruel treatment; willful killing or murder; intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population; extermination as a crime against humanity; persecution; and other inhumane acts.

"Israel, like all States, has a right to take action to defend its population," the statement asserted. "That right, however, does not absolve Israel or any State of its obligation to comply with international humanitarian law. Notwithstanding any military goals they may have, the means Israel chose to achieve them in Gaza – namely, intentionally causing death, starvation, great suffering, and serious injury to body or health of the civilian population – are criminal."

Khan also accused Hamas leaders of the following: extermination as a crime against humanity; murder; taking hostages as a war crime; torture, rape as well as other inhumane acts and sexual violence in the context of captivity; cruel treatment; and outrages upon personal dignity.

The prosecutor called for the immediate release of all hostages and safe return to their families.

"I wish to express my gratitude to the survivors, and the families of victims of the 7 October attacks, for their courage in coming forward to provide their accounts to my Office. We remain focused on further deepening our investigations of all crimes committed as part of these attacks and will continue to work with all partners to ensure that justice is delivered," Khan wrote. "I again reiterate my call for the immediate release of all hostages taken from Israel and for their safe return to their families. This is a fundamental requirement of international humanitarian law."

The X account AIPAC Tracker monitors and reports on the amount that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) contributes to U.S. politicians.

According to the X account, the lobbying group that advocates for pro-Israel policies contributed $636,313 to Johnson.



Cassandra MacDonald contributed to this report

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