George Clooney defends his wife’s work by calling the White House, according to report.
Actor George Clooney made headlines recently when he reportedly called one of President Biden’s top aides to express his disapproval of the president’s criticism of the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeking an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This high-profile case is one that Clooney’s wife, lawyer Amal Clooney, had worked on, adding a personal dimension to the actor’s call to action.
According to The Washington Post, Clooney reached out to Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the president, to voice his concerns about Biden’s response to the ICC’s decision to target Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Clooney was particularly troubled by the initial openness of the Biden administration to impose sanctions on the ICC, which could have serious implications for his wife Amal.
The report of Clooney’s call comes just ahead of his planned appearance at a fundraiser for Biden’s re-election campaign, underscoring the actor’s commitment to supporting the president despite their differences on this issue.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced on May 20 that he was seeking to charge Netanyahu, Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and two other top Hamas leaders with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Khan consulted with a panel of legal experts, including Amal Clooney, before moving forward with the warrants.
President Biden was quick to condemn the ICC’s decision, calling it “outrageous” and reiterating the unwavering support of the United States for Israel’s security in the face of such allegations. Biden stressed that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas, signaling his administration’s stance on the matter.
The backlash against the ICC’s move was not limited to the administration, as 42 House Democrats joined Republicans in a vote to sanction the international court. Senate Republicans are now urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring the bill to the Senate floor for further consideration.
Despite warnings from Karim Khan that interference with the ICC’s work would violate its founding treaty, some major global powers, including the U.S., Israel, China, and Russia, do not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and may not be swayed by such admonitions.
Notably, Israel staunchly denies any wrongdoing, asserting that its actions are in defense of the nation and in compliance with international law. Since Israel does not acknowledge the ICC’s authority, even if warrants were issued, the chance of immediate arrests of Netanyahu and Gallant remains slim.
The deliberation on whether to issue warrants is expected to span several weeks, with judges required to find “reasonable grounds to believe” that the crimes outlined in Khan’s request were committed. Historically, such requests have often been approved by the court, indicating a precedent for moving forward in similar cases.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which escalated in October when Hamas militants attacked Israel, has resulted in significant loss of life. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, claims a high number of Palestinian casualties at the hands of the Israeli military, a figure that Israel vehemently disputes, citing Hamas’ presence in civilian areas.
As tensions continue to simmer and legal proceedings unfold, the situation remains fluid. It is a complex and sensitive matter that touches on issues of international law, human rights, and geopolitics.
It is a story that transcends borders and speaks to the intricate web of relationships and interests that shape our world today. The involvement of public figures like George Clooney only adds to the layers of complexity, highlighting the intersection of celebrity influence and political discourse.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
