First appearance on Fox: House Republicans, led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), have issued a statement asking the Biden administration if International Criminal Court (ICC) authorities go after the United States or its allies. , has put pressure on them to threaten sanctions. It does not fall under its jurisdiction.
This comes amid reports that the ICC is preparing warrants against senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their handling of humanitarian aid in Gaza during the Middle East country’s war with the terrorist organization Hamas. It was done.
They, along with 15 House Republican co-sponsors, including House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R) and Republican Study Committee Chair Kevin Hahn (R), are pushing for a new bill to force President Biden’s hand, “Unlawful.” He is leading the legal challenge law. -Okra.
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Rep. Chip Roy (left) is one of the lawmakers leading a bill to impose sanctions on the ICC after it was reported that the agency could issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is. (Getty Images)
According to the legislative text obtained by Fox News Digital, Biden will “impose sanctions on entities or individuals associated with the ICC within 60 days of enactment of this Act if the International Criminal Court investigates or attempts to arrest them.” You will be forced to do something. , detain or prosecute a protected person. ”
“The ICC is an illegitimate court that represents a tremendous threat to U.S. sovereignty,” Roy told Fox News. “If ICC officials dare to target American citizens, military personnel, or allies, the Trump administration will impose sanctions. It was right,” he said. Digital. “Biden’s decision to rescind that policy was weak, shameful, and wrong.”
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“If the ICC goes after an ally, there will be consequences,” Roy said of reports that the ICC could target Israel.
Israel is not under the jurisdiction of the ICC. However, Palestinian territory was recognized in 2015.
Mast said their bill sends a “clear message” to the ICC, “We may not recognize you, but what happens when you target the United States or its allies?” I’m sure they will recognize it,” he added.
Congressman Brian Mast, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, is co-leading the ICC effort. (Ting Sheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Mast serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which must pass the bill before the full House can vote on it. A U.S. Army veteran, he also previously served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican, accused the ICC of a “campaign to undermine the Middle East’s only democracy while turning a blind eye to Hamas’s numerous human rights atrocities.”
“This double standard is an abuse of power by the ICC and exposes its irrelevance,” she said.
State Department Deputy Spokesman Vidant Patel did not confirm or deny at a press conference early last week whether the United States was aware of the ICC’s reported plans, but told reporters: “Our position regarding the investigation is clear: We continue to believe that the United States was aware of the ICC’s plans.” The ICC has no jurisdiction over the situation in Palestine. ”
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IDF forces continue to fight Hamas and are preparing for a possible ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, to disband its battalion. (Noam Shah/TPS)
Israeli officials are concerned that the ICC is preparing an arrest warrant over Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023 attack by the terrorist group Hamas. new york times It was reported last Monday.
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Israel is accused of blocking humanitarian aid They proceed to Gaza while carrying out ground invasions and air strikes to bring Israeli hostages held by Hamas back to their hometowns. However, on the world stage, criticism of Israel is increasing over the harshness of its response.
“Under my leadership, Israel will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right to self-defense,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the X program last week in response to the report.
