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U.S. National Security Adviser Bolton: "We Will Not Allow the ICC to Constrain Israel's Right to Self-Defense"

(Lawfare Institute-Brookings) U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton told the Federalist Society in Washington on Monday: "I am here to make a major announcement on U.S. policy toward the International Criminal Court, or ICC....In theory, the ICC holds perpetrators of the most egregious atrocities accountable for their crimes, provides justice to the victims, and deters future abuses. In practice, however, the court has been ineffective, unaccountable, and indeed, outright dangerous. Moreover, the largely unspoken, but always central, aim of its most vigorous supporters was to constrain the United States." "The International Criminal Court constituted an assault on the constitutional rights of the American people and the sovereignty of the United States....In November of 2017, the ICC prosecutor requested authorization to investigate alleged war crimes committed by U.S. service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan.... Any day now, the ICC may announce the start of a formal investigation against these American patriots, who voluntarily went into harm's way to protect our nation, our homes, and our families in the wake of the 9/11 attacks." "The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court. We will not cooperate with the ICC....We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us....The International Criminal Court's authority has been sharply criticized and rejected by most of the world. Today, more than 70 nations, representing 2/3 of the world's population, and over 70% of the world's armed forces, are not members of the ICC." "While the court welcomes the membership of the so-called 'State of Palestine,' it has threatened Israel - a liberal, democratic nation - with investigation into its actions to defend citizens from terrorist attacks in the West Bank and Gaza....The United States supports a direct and robust peace process, and we will not allow the ICC, or any other organization, to constrain Israel's right to self-defense....If the court comes after us, Israel or other U.S. allies, we will not sit quietly."
2018-09-12 00:00:00
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