The House passed a bill that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its decision to issue warrants for the arrests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-profile Israeli officials for alleged war crimes.’
The measure passed in a 243 – 140 vote. Republicans were joined by 45 Democrats backing the proposed legislation.
BREAKING: The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted to sanction the ICC.
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) January 9, 2025
The U.S. does not tolerate rogue organizations doing work on behalf of terrorist organizations. pic.twitter.com/09cv7T5deH
The issuing of the warrants came amid Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The war began on October 7, 2023, when the terrorist group launched a deadly surprise attack against Israel, murdering scores of civilians and taking others as hostages.
If passed in the Senate, the measure’s sanctions would target ICC officials involved in prosecutions or investigations of U.S. officials or leaders of nations allied with the U.S. without their country’s consent. The sanctions include freezing assets, visa bans, and blocking property transactions, according to a New York Times report.
The original form of the bill had bipartisan support. But the Democrat-led Senate blocked the measure, with many Democratic lawmakers arguing that the measure was overly broad. Now that Republicans have control over both chambers of Congress, the measure is expected to pass.
Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) praised the bill, saying it “sends an incredibly important message across the globe: Do not get in the way of America or our allies trying to bring our people home.”
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) concurred, saying the court’s “rogue actions only enable the terrorists who seek to wipe Israel off the map, and they cannot be allowed to stand unchecked.”
Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) called the court "illegitimate" and expressed support for Israel as a U.S. ally.
The Illegitimate ICC has no business targeting Americans or our allies like Israel.
— Congressman Max Miller (@RepMaxMiller) January 9, 2025
House Republicans stand with our ally and friend, and will always support Israel’s right to defend itself pic.twitter.com/gxa5zi5Ilz
The ICC also issued warrants for Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Muhammad Deif. However, Sinwar and Haniyeh had already been killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) when the court issued their warrants.
The court does not have the power to enforce its laws, but relies on member nations to arrest individuals who have warrants. Poland’s government in December threatened to arrest Netanyahu if he showed up at Auschwitz to commemorate the Holocaust.
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) was one of several Democrats who argued against the measure, insisting that the ICC should be allowed to target Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders. “Republicans want to sanction the ICC simply because they don’t want the rules to apply to everyone,” he said.
Israel and the U.S. have historically rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction, arguing that it is biased and overreaching. The two countries were among seven that voted against the establishment of the ICC in 1998, according to The New York Times.