U.S. Congress Passes Sanctions Against ICC Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrants
Critics warn that sanctioning the ICC could damage the United States' reputation as a proponent of human rights on the global stage.
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” which imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The vote, held on January 9, 2025, concluded with a decisive 243 votes in favour and 140 against, showcasing a rare moment of unity among lawmakers, with 45 Democrats joining 198 Republicans in supporting the legislation.
The newly enacted law aims to penalize any foreign individual who investigates, arrests, detains, or prosecutes U.S. citizens or those from allied nations in connection with the ICC’s actions against Netanyahu and Gallant.
The ICC issued these warrants based on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The sanctions outlined in the bill include asset freezes and visa restrictions for individuals significantly aiding the ICC’s efforts against U.S. nationals or allies.
This legislative action marks one of the first major initiatives by the newly Republican-controlled Congress and underscores a strong pro-Israel stance among U.S. lawmakers. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast condemned the ICC’s actions as an attack on a key ally of the United States.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated that the Senate will swiftly consider the bill, which is expected to pass easily given the Republican majority. Following this, it is anticipated that President-elect Donald Trump will sign the legislation into law shortly after his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
