House Republicans, led by Reps. Chip Roy and Brian Mast, are urging the Biden administration to threaten sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) officials if the ICC targets the U.S. or its allies outside its jurisdiction.
Reports suggest that the ICC is considering warrants against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for their actions during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The House GOP is introducing a bill called The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, with support from 15 co-sponsors, to compel President Biden to sanction ICC-related entities or individuals if the ICC attempts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person.
Rep. Roy criticized Biden's decision to reverse Trump-era sanctions on ICC associates, calling it weak and wrong. He emphasized that targeting U.S. citizens or allies would have consequences.
Israel is not under the ICC's jurisdiction, but the Palestinian territories were admitted in 2015. Rep. Mast, a bill co-sponsor and House Foreign Affairs Committee member, warned the ICC of repercussions for targeting the U.S. or its allies.
House GOP Conference Chair Stefanik accused the ICC of bias against Israel and overlooking human rights abuses by Hamas, labeling their actions an abuse of power.
The State Department did not confirm knowledge of the ICC's reported plans but reiterated that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the Palestinian situation.
Israeli officials fear potential ICC arrest warrants related to their response to a Hamas attack in 2023.
