It has attracted condemnation from both sides of the aisle. The US House of Representatives has passed the bill to sanction the International Criminal Court, ICC. The bill—sponsored by Republican members—is the latest in a series of measures following the ICC’s chief prosecutor asking for war crime investigations concerning Israel’s premier, Benjamin Netanyahu.
This law, referred to by Texas Republican Rep Chip Roy as the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, was supported by the House on Tuesday with a 247-155 vote. The legislation will also authorize penalties and visa bans for any personality from another country engaged in working for or supporting the ICC in cases against the US, Israel, and other allied states that are not members of the court.
The provocation was made after the ICC approached the court with a request to issue an arrest for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan said there are ‘reasonable grounds to believe’ the leaders are responsible for civilian starvation, targeted civilians, and other crimes. The ICC issued arrest warrants for the leaders based on the gravity of several allegations that include targeting and starving civilians, among other atrocities.
The Biden administration has condemned the ICC warrants, where President Joe Biden mentioned that there is no parity between Israel and Hamas. Nevertheless, while voicing concern about the ICC’s actions, there is agreement that there are smarter ways to support Israel and the ICC.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, also said that the ICC “cannot allow” these “illegitimate investigations and called for the necessity of sanctioning the court.
It has been a major symbolic victory of American lawmakers over the ICC, an international body that seeks to regulate relations among nations. The US House bill aims to minimize the ICC’s authority over allied nations. The legislation now goes to the upper chamber, and its fate is not guaranteed.
