Netanyahu Arrest Warrants: US House Pushes Sanctions Against ICC
On January 9, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” by a vote of 243 to 140.
This legislation sanctions individuals and entities involved in investigating or prosecuting U.S. or allied citizens, including Israeli officials, in response to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The bill, supported by 45 Democrats and 198 Republicans, reflects strong bipartisan backing for Israel. It mandates the President to enforce sanctions, such as visa revocations, against ICC officials pursuing Netanyahu and Gallant over actions in Gaza.
Additionally, the legislation seeks to retract any U.S. taxpayer funding for the ICC.
The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity related to military operations in Gaza. The U.S. and Israel do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction over their nationals, viewing the court’s actions as overreach.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. With Republicans holding a majority and President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office on January 20, 2025, the legislation is expected to advance swiftly.
The ICC has expressed concern over the bill, warning that such sanctions could undermine judicial independence and hinder justice for victims of atrocities.
This development underscores the ongoing tension between the U.S., Israel, and the ICC regarding the court’s jurisdiction and its investigations into alleged war crimes.