Susanna Siddell
Guest Reporter
A senior ally of incoming Donald Trump has warned that the United States will "crush" Britain's economy if Sir Keir Starmer helps arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham issued the stark warning to Starmer, claiming that nations who follow the ICC's ruling would face severe economic consequences.
Grahm told Fox News: "If you are going to help the ICC as a nation and force the arrest warrant against Bibi and Gallant...I will put sanctions on you as a nation."
"To any ally, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, if you try to help the ICC, we're gonna sanction you," the South Carolina Senator added.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday, citing "reasonable grounds to believe" the pair have committed war crimes.
The charges have included use of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
Israel's campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 44,000 deaths and widespread displacement, according to the Strip's officials.
Human Rights Watch has reported that children in Gaza have been dying from starvation-related complications, which they describe as Israel using "starvation as a weapon of war".
The conflict began after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in Israel on October 7 last year.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A Downing Street spokesman said the British Government respects the independence of the ICC and would comply with its legal obligations.
However, No10 has stressed there was "no moral equivalence" between Israel's democratically elected leader and terrorist leaders.
Labour's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has previously stated the party "continues to support the ICC", adding that both the ICC and ICJ should operate "unfettered by political intervention".
The Government emphasised the importance of maintaining "dialogue with Israel on all levels", describing the nation as a "key partner".
European nations have been left split on how to respond to the ICC's warrant. Despite Austria calling the ruling "utterly incomprehensible", Vienna maintained they would have to make an arrest as "international law is non-negotiable".
Germany has adopted a more cautious approach, with Belin spokesman Steffen Hebestreit saying: 'I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis'.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said they were examining how to handle the situation, adding: "Whether the Israeli prime minister will enter the European Union is a hypothetical question".
Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Spain have all insisted they will respect the court's decision.
The Israeli Prime Minister's allies described the allegations as "absurd and false lies", claiming that the judges who issued the warrant were "motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel".
Unlike Britain, neither the United States nor Israel are members of the International Criminal Court.
US President Joe Biden has condemned what he called the "outrageous" arrest warrant, reaffirming American support for Israel.
Find Out More...
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham issued the stark warning to Starmer, claiming that nations who follow the ICC's ruling would face severe economic consequences.
Grahm told Fox News: "If you are going to help the ICC as a nation and force the arrest warrant against Bibi and Gallant...I will put sanctions on you as a nation."
"To any ally, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, if you try to help the ICC, we're gonna sanction you," the South Carolina Senator added.
The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday, citing "reasonable grounds to believe" the pair have committed war crimes.
The charges have included use of starvation as a method of warfare and crimes against humanity including murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.
Israel's campaign in Gaza has resulted in over 44,000 deaths and widespread displacement, according to the Strip's officials.
Human Rights Watch has reported that children in Gaza have been dying from starvation-related complications, which they describe as Israel using "starvation as a weapon of war".
The conflict began after Hamas fighters killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in Israel on October 7 last year.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- 'Turn out the lights!' Putin prepares for cyber war with 'traditional enemy' Britain after 'delaying' NHS cancer treatment
- Russian general and hundreds of North Korean troops 'killed in first UK Storm Shadow missile' strike
- 'Patently absurd!' Johnson accuses Starmer of 'standing with Hamas' by backing Netanyahu's arrest warrant
A Downing Street spokesman said the British Government respects the independence of the ICC and would comply with its legal obligations.
However, No10 has stressed there was "no moral equivalence" between Israel's democratically elected leader and terrorist leaders.
Labour's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has previously stated the party "continues to support the ICC", adding that both the ICC and ICJ should operate "unfettered by political intervention".
The Government emphasised the importance of maintaining "dialogue with Israel on all levels", describing the nation as a "key partner".
European nations have been left split on how to respond to the ICC's warrant. Despite Austria calling the ruling "utterly incomprehensible", Vienna maintained they would have to make an arrest as "international law is non-negotiable".
Germany has adopted a more cautious approach, with Belin spokesman Steffen Hebestreit saying: 'I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis'.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said they were examining how to handle the situation, adding: "Whether the Israeli prime minister will enter the European Union is a hypothetical question".
Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Spain have all insisted they will respect the court's decision.
The Israeli Prime Minister's allies described the allegations as "absurd and false lies", claiming that the judges who issued the warrant were "motivated by antisemitic hatred of Israel".
Unlike Britain, neither the United States nor Israel are members of the International Criminal Court.
US President Joe Biden has condemned what he called the "outrageous" arrest warrant, reaffirming American support for Israel.
Find Out More...