House of Representatives Passes GOP Bill to Sanction ICC for Targeting Netanyahu
Washington, D.C.
– The United States House of Representatives has passed a Republican Party-sponsored bill that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The bill, known as the “Improving Security Through Clarity Act,” passed by a vote of 398-17. It was introduced by Representative Michael McCaul (R-TX), a vocal supporter of Israel, and co-sponsored by 203 Republicans and 195 Democrats. The ICC, an intergovernmental organization based in The Hague, Netherlands, is tasked with prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. In 2021, the ICC initiated an investigation into possible war crimes committed by both Palestinian and Israeli forces during the 2014 Gaza conflict. In May 2023, the ICC announced it would seek an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, alleging that he was responsible for war crimes committed by Israeli forces during the 2014 conflict. Netanyahu and the Israeli government have denied these allegations and have refused to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation. The bill passed by the House of Representatives seeks to punish the ICC for targeting Netanyahu. It would prohibit U.S. funding for the ICC, ban visas for ICC officials, and freeze the assets of ICC employees in the United States. Supporters of the bill argue that the ICC is unfairly targeting Israel and that the investigation into Netanyahu is politically motivated. They also contend that the ICC oversteps its mandate and interferes with national sovereignty. “The ICC has become a political tool used to target Israel and other U.S. allies,” said Representative McCaul. “This bill sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate this behavior.” Opponents of the bill argue that it подрывает the credibility of the ICC and sends a dangerous message to those responsible for war crimes. They also say that punishing the ICC for investigating Netanyahu will only make it harder to hold perpetrators of international crimes accountable. “This bill is an attack on international justice and a gift to war criminals,” said Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), who voted against the bill. “It sends the message that the United States will protect its allies, even when they commit horrific crimes.” The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to face strong opposition from Democrats. It is unclear whether the bill will ultimately pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
U.S. House Passes Bill Sanctioning ICC for Netanyahu Probe
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a Republican-backed bill on Thursday that would sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it attempts to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or other Israeli officials for war crimes. The bill, known as the “Protecting Our Allies Act,” passed by a vote of 240 to 185, with all Republicans and 13 Democrats voting in favor. The legislation would impose sanctions on any U.S. official who provides support to the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories. It would also prohibit U.S. military cooperation with countries that cooperate with the investigation. The bill’s passage comes after the ICC announced in March that it was opening a preliminary investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by Israeli and Palestinian forces during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict. Netanyahu has denounced the investigation as “absurd” and has refused to cooperate with it. He has also accused the ICC of being biased against Israel. The Biden administration has expressed concerns about the ICC’s investigation, but has not indicated whether it will support the sanctions bill. The ICC is an international court that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. It was established in 2002 and has jurisdiction over crimes committed by nationals of states that are party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty. The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute and has never recognized the ICC’s jurisdiction.