Washington: Amnesty International has voiced strong criticism against the United States for hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. The warrant accuses Netanyahu of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to his military's actions in Gaza.
According to Anadolu Agency, the UK-based human rights organization stated on social media platform X that the Biden administration has disregarded efforts for international justice concerning Palestine. Amnesty International accused President Trump of exacerbating the situation by not only failing to arrest Netanyahu or subject him to US investigations but also by welcoming him as the first foreign leader to visit the White House since the inauguration.
The recent ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, temporarily halted the devastating conflict in Gaza that resulted in over 47,500 deaths and widespread destruction across the enclave. The ICC issued arrest warrants last November for both Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in their military actions in Gaza. Concurrently, Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its military operations in the region.
Amnesty International stressed that the United States has a legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions to either prosecute or extradite individuals accused of war crimes. The organization emphasized that there should be no "safe haven" for those alleged to have committed such acts. Furthermore, Amnesty condemned the US for its role in supplying weapons used during Israel's offensive in Gaza, labeling it a violation of the obligation to prevent genocide.
The human rights group asserted that compliance with ICC arrest warrants is crucial for addressing Israel's activities in Gaza and its treatment of Palestinians. They highlighted the importance of holding accountable those responsible for what they described as Israel's "unlawful occupation and system of apartheid."
Netanyahu's visit to the White House occurs amid persistent violence in Gaza and the West Bank. During the visit, discussions are expected to cover the ongoing Gaza conflict, hostages held by Hamas, and regional tensions involving Iran and Lebanon.