The House of Representatives reportedly passed a resolution on Tuesday to impose sanctions if the International Criminal Court (ICC) attempts to indict the US or its allies.
The move comes as the ICC is considering issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli government officials. Republican Representative Chip Roy of Texas introduced the Illegal Courts Act, which passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 247 to 155. Washington Examiner.
While 27 senators did not vote for the bill, all Republicans supported it, as did 42 Democrats. If passed, the resolution would impose sanctions on the ICC if it participates in efforts “to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute wards of the United States and its allies.” (Related: International Criminal Court seeks arrest warrants for PM Netanyahu, Hamas leaders)
Sanctions could reportedly include blocking real estate transactions in the United States, refusing entry to individuals and revoking individual visas.
Vermont Rep. Becca Balint, a Democrat, voted against the bill, calling it “another example of Republicans trying to divide us.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, praised the bill. “We can’t let this go,” he said of possible moves to prosecute Israeli leaders. “If the ICC is allowed to do this and go after leaders of countries that they don’t agree with what they’re doing, why not go after America?”
Last month, The Jewish Chronicle reported that some of the lawyers supporting the issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu had argued that Hamas was justified in the October 7 massacre. One lawyer reportedly argued that because Israel has already occupied the land, it has no legal right to defend itself against the terrorist group.
Exposé: Lawyer seeking Netanyahu arrest warrant says Oct. 7 date is legal https://t.co/W5kn2dEODN
— Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) May 20, 2024
The Biden administration has publicly criticized the ICC for considering arrest warrants, but stopped short of endorsing sanctions. “The Administration is deeply concerned by the ICC Prosecutor’s thoughtless and hasty application of arrest warrants against senior Israeli officials,” the White House said in a statement, according to the Washington Examiner. “At the same time, the Administration opposes the imposition of sanctions against the ICC, its officials, its judges, or those who support its activities.”
