Netanyahu discusses dismantling ICC with Rubio ahead of U.S. trip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed he discussed efforts to dismantle the International Criminal Court with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The conversation occurred ahead of Netanyahu's planned visit to Washington to meet President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu stated that Rubio reaffirmed the U.S. intention to "act firmly against this organization (the ICC)." The prime minister asserted that the global court "endangers justice in the world" and restricts national security by deferring to "corrupt officials in The Hague." He encouraged other countries to adopt the U.S. position.

The meeting with Trump, the first face-to-face encounter since the "joint war against Iran" began in late February, takes place amidst heightened hostilities between Washington and Tehran, with Israel on alert. The relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has seen fluctuations, including a reported heated phone call in early June.

Netanyahu also commented on the recent dismissal of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan over alleged misconduct. He suggested Khan's prior arrest warrants against him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were a diversionary tactic. "He did this to divert attention, to gather around him all those who hate Israel and, in essence, to create a protective shield for himself," Netanyahu said. "That shield has opened and also exposed his true motivation, and the injustice and deep corruption that exist not only in the Prosecutor's Office but in the entire International Criminal Court as a whole."