Tag Archives: US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

US Senator says America rejects the Action of the ICC “We view this as a direct threat by an unelected, unaccountable body…”

US Senator Lindsey Graham

Important Takeaways:

  • [Here’s how the war began]
    • On Oct. 7, one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, thousands of Hamas gunmen invaded southern Israel, kidnapping, raping, torturing, and killing hundreds of Israelis.
    • On Oct. 8, the Israel Security Cabinet voted to officially declare war for the first time since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
    • On Oct. 27, the IDF began its Ground Operation in Northern Gaza
    • On Nov. 24, in accordance with a ceasefire agreement for the release of hostages by Hamas, the IDF paused their operations.
    • On Dec. 1, after Hamas violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the pause in fighting ended. Israel resumed their operations in the north of Gaza.
    • On Dec. 3, the IDF’s ground operation moved into southern Gaza after Israel dropped leaflets to inform civilians to evacuate key areas.
    • On April 1, Israel allegedly carried out an airstrike in Damascus, killing 7 IRGC members, including the top Iranian commander in Syria.
    • On April 8, the IDF withdrew ground troops from southern Gaza, maintaining that a operation in Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold, remains imminent
    • On April 13, Iran launched 200+ missiles and drones toward Israel from Iranian soil.
    • On July 30-31, an Israeli strike killed a Hezbollah Commander and Hamas’ top leader was assassinated in Tehran.
    • On Aug. 25, the IDF launched a large-scale preemptive strike targeting thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers, thwarting a significant attack the terror group planned to immediately launch.
    • On Sept. 17-18, Hezbollah Pagers and other devices implanted with explosives simultaneously detonated in two waves, leaving 3000+ wounded and dozens of terrorists dead, in a highly sophisticated attack widely attributed to the Mossad.
    • Since Oct. 7, Over 1,600 Israelis (800 soldiers) have been killed, and over 13,000 have been injured.
    • 5,381 IDF soldiers wounded since the start of the war.
    • Still today Hamas holds 101 hostages
  • US Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) responded on Monday to Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly’s comments to a news publication regarding Senator Graham’s proposal to sanction any nation or group that aids and abets the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
  • In an interview with Politico, Joly was asked what is her response to Graham’s proposal, after Canada vowed to comply with the ICC order, and replied, “Canada will take its decision. Then the US will take its decision.”
  • On the possibility that Canada could face sanctions from the United States for complying with the ICC order, she replied, “We abide by international norms, including the fact that we’re a founding member of the ICC.”
  • Responding to the comments, Graham said, “I consider Canada to be one of America’s greatest allies and friends. We are not only neighbors – we also share many common values.”
  • “However, the idea that the International Criminal Court seeking arrest warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister and former Defense Minister is an act of international rules-based order is beyond the pale,” he added.
  • “To my friends in Canada and throughout the world, America rejects – in the strongest possible terms – the Court’s efforts to issue warrants for duly elected political leaders of Israel for defending their nation against barbaric terrorism. We reject the jurisdiction claims of the Court. We will make it loud and clear that those countries who assist in enforcing the arrest warrants – even if they are close allies – will hit a wall of resistance in America,” Graham clarified.
  • “America must act decisively to reject this action by the ICC because we could be next. The court threatened to go after American soldiers for their conduct in Afghanistan but wisely chose not to.”
  • “Again, we are a mature democracy just like Israel, with an independent judiciary. To Canada and all others – we do not view this action as furthering international norms. We view this as a direct threat by an unelected, unaccountable body in The Hague against American sovereignty and as an existential threat to our allies in Israel who are fighting for their very existence.”
  • “President Biden objected to the ICC ruling, and I will be discussing with President Trump and his team how to respond forcefully,” concluded Graham.

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