DAWN said ‘there are solid grounds to investigate Joe Biden, Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin for complicity in Israel’s crimes’ [GETTY]
A US-based rights group has called for the International Criminal Court to investigate former US President Joe Biden and members of his administration over supporting Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
The organisation has accused Biden, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and former Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin of violating the Roman Statute through “their accessorial roles in aiding and abetting, as well as intentionally contributing to, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza”.
Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) submitted a 172-page request to ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in January. The request, prepared with support from lawyers registered with the ICC and war crimes experts, was publicly shared on Monday.
DAWN accuses the three officials of “purposely” intending to further Israel’s military activities and “knew the intention of the group to commit the crimes”.
The group highlights how the three officials have authorised weapons transfers to Israel, as well as political support.
DAWN says the submission details “a pattern of deliberate and purposeful decisions by these officials to provide military, political, and public support to facilitate Israeli crimes in Gaza”.
The group says the support includes military support of over $17 million, which they accuse Israel of needing to commit its crimes, along with political and public support for Israel’s actions, including vetoing many resolutions at the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
“There are solid grounds to investigate Joe Biden, Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin for complicity in Israel’s crimes,” Reed Brody, DAWN board member and veteran war crimes lawyer, said.
“The bombs dropped on Palestinian hospitals, schools and homes are American bombs, the campaign of murder and persecution has been carried out with American support. US officials have been aware of exactly what Israel is doing, and yet their support never stopped.”
DAWN also urged for the court to probe other officials from the Biden administration for “aiding and abetting, and contributing to, violations of the Rome Statute” including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Bonnie Jenkins, then Under Secretary of Arms Control and International Security and Gina Raimondo, the then Secretary of Commerce.
The ICCÂ issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant of Israel and Hamas officials in November 2024.
Israel has denied violating international law in Gaza, accusing the ICC of antisemitism.
US President Trump ordered sanctions against ICC officials over its issuing of the warrants.
