By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-11-24 16:21:23 | Updated at 2024-11-24 19:05:40
2 hours ago
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.
Lindsey Graham issued the stark warning to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, claiming that nations following the ICC's ruling would face severe economic consequences
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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".
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said they were examining how to handle the situation, saying: "Whether the Israeli prime minister will enter the European Union is a hypothetical question"
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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.
