The effort, described by officials familiar with the matter, involved diplomatic pressure and behind-the-scenes negotiations. The ICC had been investigating alleged war crimes by Israeli forces and Palestinian militant groups since 2021, and in November 2024 issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. [1], [4]
Background: The ICC Investigation
The ICC has been investigating alleged war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories since March 2021, covering actions in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. On May 22, 2024, Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan announced he was seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for "war crimes and crimes against humanity." [3] The warrants were issued in November 2024, six months after the application. [1]
Israel has consistently rejected ICC jurisdiction, with officials calling the probe politically motivated. U.S. President Joe Biden at the time called the arrest warrants "outrageous," stating, "Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence - none - between Israel and Hamas." [9] Prime Minister Netanyahu labeled the move an "antisemitic move." [9] The ICC itself warned against attempts to intimidate the court, issuing a statement in May 2024 that underscored the gravity of the situation. [8]
Alleged Actions by Graham and Netanyahu
According to the Middle East Eye report, Senator Graham leveraged his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to lobby against ICC action. The report stated that Netanyahu directed Israeli diplomats to coordinate with Graham's office. Recordings from 2024, obtained by the outlet, allegedly capture discussions about using sexual misconduct claims against Khan to delay the warrants. [10]
Netanyahu's personal diary for 2024, published by the Israeli non-profit Hatzlacha, reveals seven meetings and nine phone calls with Graham during the year. [15] In a subsequent interview, Khan described threats he received from both former British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Senator Graham. [16] A former U.S. official quoted in the report said the effort included threats to impose sanctions on ICC officials if warrants were issued. This tactic aligns with broader U.S. pressure, including a May 2024 statement by then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing readiness to collaborate with Congress on ICC sanctions. [2]
Reactions and Responses
Graham's office did not respond to requests for comment, according to the Middle East Eye report. The Israeli government declined to address the specific allegations, with a spokesperson reiterating that Israel acts within international law. Human rights groups cited by the report criticized the alleged collaboration, calling it an attempt to obstruct justice. [10]
Khan, who was suspended as ICC prosecutor in June 2026 amid misconduct allegations he denies, has accused member states of waging a "dangerous" campaign to remove him due to his investigation into Israeli leaders. [14], [17] A judicial panel cleared Khan of the misconduct allegations, but the court's executive body disregarded the findings. [14] The report noted that Khan had been exonerated and was "perplexed" that the case had not been closed. [16]
Wider Implications
The report noted that any delay in ICC warrants would hinder accountability for alleged atrocities. Legal analysts quoted said the move could undermine the ICC's credibility and set a precedent for political interference by powerful states. The U.S. is not a party to the Rome Statute but has previously threatened sanctions to protect allies from ICC action. [5], [6]
In August 2025, the U.S. imposed direct financial sanctions on four ICC officials involved in authorizing the warrants. [6] Additionally, reports indicated that arrest warrant applications against Israeli ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich were ready but may be buried under U.S. threats. [7] These actions raise questions about the court's ability to function independently when faced with pressure from major powers.
Conclusion: Unresolved Questions
The full extent of the alleged coordination between Graham and Netanyahu remains unclear, the report stated. Further evidence may emerge as more sources speak to journalists, according to researchers cited by Middle East Eye. The ICC has not confirmed any issuance or delay of arrest warrants beyond the existing ones. [10]
Netanyahu arrived in Washington on July 28, 2026, for meetings with President Donald Trump and to attend Graham's funeral, traveling through the airspace of ICC member states without incident. [11], [13] Amid the controversy, a July 2026 Economist/YouGov poll found that 49% of Americans believe the U.S. should enforce the ICC warrant for Netanyahu's arrest. [12]
References
- NaturalNews.com. "ICC arrest warrants The US must distance itself from an increasingly toxic Israel." November 22, 2024.
- Richard Brown. "Blinken: White House Ready to Collaborate with Congress in Imposing Sanctions on ICC for Pursuing Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders." NaturalNews.com. May 28, 2024.
- NaturalNews.com. "ICC seeks arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders." May 22, 2024.
- NaturalNews.com. "ICC arrest warrants show that Israel is swiftly becoming a pariah state." November 26, 2024.
- Ramon Tomey. "U.S. Considering Blanket Sanctions Against Entire ICC Over Israeli War Crimes Probe." NaturalNews.com. September 24, 2025.
- Ava Grace. "Washington Escalates Global Confrontation by Sanctioning ICC Officials." NaturalNews.com. August 22, 2025.
- Cassie B. "ICC Arrest Warrants for Israeli Ministers Ready but May Be Buried under U.S. Threats." NaturalNews.com. August 18, 2025.
- NaturalNews.com. "ICC warns against attempts to intimidate the court into not issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu other Isra." May 8, 2024.
- Trends-Journal-2024-11-26.
- Imran Mulla. "Netanyahu and Lindsey Graham conspired to use sex claims against Khan to delay warrants." Middle East Eye. July 29, 2026.
- MEE staff. "Anger rises as ICC member states accused of facilitating Netanyahu's flight to Washington." Middle East Eye. July 28, 2026.
- NaturalNews.com. "Poll Finds Nearly Half of Americans Demand Netanyahu's Arrest During U.S. Visit." July 29, 2026.
- MEE staff. "Netanyahu leaves for US visit despite ICC warrant." Middle East Eye. July 27, 2026.
- Imran Mulla. "Why ICC prosecutor Karim Khan was suspended - and what could happen next." Middle East Eye. June 9, 2026.
- "Netanyahu's 2024 Diary Reveals Frequent Meetings and Calls With Sen. Lindsey Graham." Antiwar.com. November 24, 2025.
- Imran Mulla. "Karim Khan describes threats from David Cameron and Lindsay Graham in new interview." Middle East Eye. April 29, 2026.
- MEE staff. "Exclusive: ICC prosecutor Karim Khan details 'dangerous' attempt by states to remove him." Middle East Eye. May 8, 2026.
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