Washington, Sep 23 (V7N)- US Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and accused him of repeatedly making false statements.
Van Hollen made the remarks in a video message posted on X on Tuesday, responding to a video released by Netanyahu targeting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“He keeps telling lie after lie,” Van Hollen said, before referring to the arrest warrant issued against Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Van Hollen said Netanyahu was a “wanted war criminal” and argued that the ICC warrant should be taken into account when assessing the Israeli prime minister's statements and actions.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on November 21, 2024, over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the context of the situation in Palestine. The court also issued a warrant for then-Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Israel has rejected the ICC's jurisdiction and the allegations against its officials.
Van Hollen also criticized the Israeli government's handling of cases involving US citizens killed in violence in the West Bank. He alleged that Netanyahu's government has failed to ensure accountability for Americans killed by Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces.
“Netanyahu is lucky that the US gave him the opportunity to cross our borders. But that does not erase his lies, nor does it erase his war crimes,” Van Hollen said.
The senator's remarks followed a video released by Netanyahu in which the Israeli prime minister criticized Mamdani and said he would respond to criticism of Israel during his upcoming address to the UN General Assembly.
Van Hollen has previously criticized the Trump administration over its approach to the ICC and called on European countries and other ICC members to take action against US officials over efforts to pressure the court.
The latest exchange comes as Netanyahu prepares to address the UN General Assembly, with the debate over the Gaza war, the ICC warrant and Israel's military actions remaining major points of international disagreement.
END/SMA/AJ
