JAKARTA - Russian officials on Tuesday said the United States was being hypocritical by opposing the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation of Israel, but supported a court order for President Vladimir Putin's arrest.
The ICC, which can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, is investigating a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 and a devastating Israeli military attack against Hamas-controlled Gaza, which is now entering its seventh month.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Monday the United States did not support the ICC's investigation into Israel and did not believe the court had jurisdiction.
However, President Joe Biden last year said the ICC's decision to issue an arrest warrant against President Putin could be justified. The United States has also submitted details of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine to the ICC.
"Washington fully supports, if not encouraging, the issuance of an ICC warrant against Russia's leadership," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said in a post on Telegram.
However, "the American political system does not recognize the legitimacy of this structure in relation to itself and its satellites," Zakharova continued, adding such a position was intellectually "absurd".
Russia said the arrest warrant against President Putin was a futile attempt by the West to contaminate Russia's reputation, and deny war crimes in Ukraine.
Ukraine says Russia has committed war crimes. Instead, Russia says the West ignores Ukraine's crimes, a charge Kyiv denies.
The Kremlin called the issuance of an arrest warrant against Putin outrageous and legally null and void, because Russia was not one of the parties who signed the agreement that formed the ICC.
On the other hand, Israel is also not a member of the ICC, while the Palestinian territories were recognized as member states in 2015.
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As previously reported, Israeli officials fear the court will issue arrest warrants against PM Netanyahu and other top officials for alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, Israeli media reported.
They also said the ICC was also considering arrest warrants for Hamas leaders.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday the ICC's decision would not affect Israel's actions but would set a dangerous precedent.
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