George Clooney Expressed Discontent to White House Over Biden’s Critique of I.C.C.
TL/DR –
George Clooney engaged a top White House official in May regarding President Biden’s criticism of the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek a warrant against top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza, a case his wife, Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, had worked on. The investigation led to warrant requests for Israel’s prime minister and defense minister and three senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of causing thousands of civilian deaths. Despite Clooney’s protests, it had no effect on the U.S. policy regarding the situation.
George Clooney’s Intervention in the International Criminal Court’s Decision
George Clooney expressed his dissatisfaction with President Biden’s criticism of the International Criminal Court’s request for a warrant against leading Israeli officials, related to the Gaza war. This case involved the actor’s wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who served on the advisory panel conducting the investigation.
The probe led to the request for warrants against Israel’s Prime Minister, Defence Minister, and three senior Hamas leaders, accusing them of illegal conduct resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. Clooney’s protest was lodged with Steve Ricchetti, a counsellor to Biden. However, his objection had no bearing on U.S. policy, according to an anonymous senior administration official.
Clooney’s Involvement Highlights Biden’s Dilemma
Clooney’s decision to contact the White House spotlights the issues Biden faces while attempting to balance his support for Israel with mounting pressure from the disillusioned American left. Clooney is also slated to appear at a high-profile fund-raiser for Biden, with former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton in attendance.
White House Response and Context
The White House hasn’t commented on Clooney’s grievance, first reported by The Washington Post. Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. When the court’s chief prosecutor announced the warrant request in May, Biden voiced strong opposition, denouncing any equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Amal Clooney’s Investigation and Report
Amal Clooney, a Lebanon-born lawyer, spent four months with the court’s prosecutors, examining evidence of suspected war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel and Gaza. She co-authored an opinion piece with other members of the I.C.C. advisory panel, arguing reasonable grounds to believe that crimes had been committed by top Israeli political figures. Their report alleges Israeli leaders used starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and carried out crimes against humanity.
Reaction from the U.S. House
The House voted to impose broad sanctions on the I.C.C. by forcing Biden to restrict U.S. entry and impose financial restrictions on anyone at the court involved in the investigation, arrest, or prosecution of U.S. allies. Biden’s advisers stated that he “strongly opposed” the measure due to its expansive targeting of officials, court staff, and potential case witnesses.
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