'Endangers Core American Interests': Ted Cruz Questions Ambassador Noms About Other Nations' ICC Support

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At Thursday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) questioned ambassador nominees about other nations' support for the ICC.

Transcript

00:00Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Welcome, congratulations to each of the four of you.

00:07Mr. Kushner, let's start with you. Iran's push to build a nuclear arsenal poses the most

00:13immediate threat to U.S. national security. I agree with President Trump that the only

00:18acceptable nuclear deal is one in which the regime fully dismantles its enrichment capacity,

00:25and that the United States should impose maximum pressure against the full range of the Ayatollah's

00:31malign activities. That pressure should include snapping back U.N. sanctions against Iran,

00:38which were undone by the Obama-Biden administrations in U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231.

00:45I asked Secretary of State Rubio whether he intends to go to the United Nations and do so

00:51as part of his written testimony to this committee. Here was his response, quote,

00:56I believe it is in our national security interest for the U.N. Security Council to snap back the

01:00sanctions that were suspended under the JCPOA. I will execute the President's guidance and work

01:07with our allies to ensure that snapback takes place. I asked the same question to Deputy Secretary Landau

01:14in his testimony, and he emphasized that he believes it is imperative for the national security of the

01:20United States to invoke the snapback mechanism. Our European allies, including France, are also able

01:27to invoke the snapback mechanism. First, do you agree with the assessment of Secretary Rubio and Deputy

01:36Secretary Landau that it is in the national security interest of the United States to snap back the U.N.

01:41sanctions? I 100 percent agree with the Secretary of State and with Chris Landau. And why this snapback

01:52has not occurred to date is beyond my belief, truthfully. So part of my responsibility, I feel,

02:02will be to assist to apply maximum pressure on the French at the highest levels that I can to go ahead

02:09and make sure that this snapback is effectuated. Very good. Thank you. Mr. Propolo and Mr. Walsh,

02:19as you know, the International Criminal Court has been engaged in a campaign against our Israeli allies,

02:24which in turn poses an acute threat to American national security interest. The ICC has issued arrest

02:31warrants against Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to punish Israel for

02:37its campaign against Hamas. These warrants are utterly illegitimate. They are setting a precedent to go

02:44after countries that are not members of the Court, which exposes American officials and soldiers to acute risks.

02:53Ireland has filed a motion to directly boost the ICC campaign. The Netherlands hosts the ICC, and its

03:01foreign minister has said that they will enforce the ICC warrants. We've heard multiple times today that

03:08Ireland and the Netherlands have deep partnerships with the U.S., which is undoubtedly true. It is equally

03:16true that their support for the ICC endangers core American interests. If confirmed, how do each of you intend to

03:26approach these issues? And we'll start with you, Mr. Walsh. There is a lot to talk about there,

03:36and I have not been fully briefed on that item. I know that it's a big issue though, and I know it's

03:42a big concern of yours and many others. Even President Trump has let me know that. What we need to do about

03:49it is to communicate the way we feel about it, and then relay that message back to you guys and figure

03:55out a way to really hold them reliable to actually helping us. And we're an ally of Israel, so it's a

04:06difficult conversation, to tell you the truth. And I'd be glad to relay your message and President

04:12Trump's message over to them at any time. Well, that's helpful, and I will say it is a clear assault

04:19on Israel, but Israel is not a party to the ICC. But it is also a clear assault on America, because

04:24America is not a party to the ICC. And the same illegitimate authority that claims the ability to

04:30issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu would also claim the ability to issue an arrest warrant

04:36for President Trump, for the Secretary of State, for the Secretary of Defense, for American generals,

04:41for American soldiers. We're not a party to the court. The court has no jurisdiction, and it is

04:45illegitimately asserting power over nations that have not acceded to its authority. Mr. Popolo, your

04:51thoughts. Thank you, Senator. President Trump and Secretary Rubio have been very clear this is totally

04:58unacceptable. And while the Dutch are great partners, we have a very, very clear difference here.

05:03I am going to be delivering the mission that the message that this is illegitimate, that they should

05:08not be targeting people who are not a party to the agreement. I believe we have partial sanctions

05:12in place, and the President may very well choose to increase that pressure if we don't get the proper

05:17recognition from the ICC. Very good. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Cruz.

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