US against international bodies: A double standard?
By Ebrahim Beheshti
Staff writer
Just as the president of the United States unveils a multistage plan aimed at brokering a cease-fire in Gaza and fostering lasting peace, the country’s House of Representatives passes a controversial resolution to sanction the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, the ICC prosecutor, has submitted a request to the court’s judges to issue arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister and minister of war, citing charges of war crimes.
However, for the American House of Representatives’ resolution to sanction Khan to become law, it requires the approval of the Senate, which, according to predictions, is unlikely to occur. Nonetheless, the passage of such a resolution by the House of Representatives speaks volumes about the stance of American authorities, particularly the Republicans, toward international institutions. It reveals a double standard: support for these institutions when they align with U.S. interests, and condemnation when they act contrary to American will. Although the recent resolution is not directly tied to the U.S. government, it doesn’t absolve the administration from accusations of applying a double standard. Previously, U.S. President Joe Biden, in response to an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, asserted that the U.S. does not recognize the jurisdiction of the ICC.
The actions and decisions emanating from the American government have consistently undermined the credibility and standing of international institutions, casting doubt on their effectiveness. Following the Israeli regime’s escalation of destructive attacks on Gaza and the blatant occurrence of genocide in this confined region, various proposals for a cease-fire were put forward in the UN Security Council, only to be repeatedly vetoed by the U.S. government. Adding to this paradox, America, while claiming to be working toward halting the war in Gaza, has approved a $26 billion aid package for Israel—effectively fueling the conflict and empowering Israel to prolong the war. The recent resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives to sanction the ICC prosecutor serves as yet another declaration of support for Israel and a morale boost for the belligerent regime’s prime minister, Netanyahu, potentially alleviating some of the international pressure he faces.
America’s unwavering support for Israel persists despite widespread protests against this stance, even within the domestic arena. In recent weeks, major universities across the U.S. bore witness to student-led demonstrations, voicing opposition to America’s unwavering backing of Israel and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The House of Representatives’ move to sanction Khan, while undermining international institutions, runs counter to the wishes of many segments of American society and contradicts the global aspiration for ending the war and holding belligerents accountable. The remarks of UN Secretary-General Anthony Guterres, acknowledging the organization’s ineffectiveness in addressing major crises, coupled with comments by Joseph Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, who attributed the UN’s paralysis to the use of the veto by great powers, highlight the double standards at play. These powers, including the United States, seemingly want international institutions to serve their interests, not uphold international law and justice.