In May, George Clooney contacted a White House official to protest President Joe Biden’s criticism of the International Criminal Court’s decision to seek a warrant against Israeli officials over the Gaza war, a case Clooney’s wife, Amal, had worked on. Amal, a human rights lawyer, served on an advisory panel for the investigation, resulting in warrant requests for top Israeli and Hamas leaders accused of illegal actions leading to civilian deaths.
Although Clooney’s complaint had no effect on US policy, it highlights the challenges Biden faces in balancing support for Israel and pressure from the American left. Despite this, Clooney still plans to attend a fundraiser for Biden. The actor’s spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.
The United States and Israel are not ICC members. After Biden criticized the ICC’s decision, Amal, in a statement, defended their work in evaluating evidence of war crimes in Israel and Gaza. A recent House vote displayed bipartisan anger at the ICC, with Democrats and Republicans coming together to impose sanctions on the court.
Overall, the Clooney-Biden interaction sheds light on the delicate balance between US foreign policy, human rights advocacy, and the complexities of the Middle East conflict.