U.S. House Votes to Sanction International Criminal Court
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) in protest at its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Bill Passes with Strong Support from Republicans
The vote was 243 to 140 in favor of the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," which would sanction any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains or prosecutes U.S. citizens or those of an allied country, including Israel, who are not members of the court. Forty-five Democrats joined 198 Republicans in backing the bill, with no Republican voting against it.
Representative Brian Mast Speaks Out
"America is passing this law because a kangaroo court is seeking to arrest the prime minister of our great ally, Israel," Representative Brian Mast, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a House speech before the vote.
ICC Expresses Concern
The ICC said it noted the bill with concern and warned it could rob victims of atrocities of justice and hope. "The court firmly condemns any and all actions intended to threaten the court and its officials, undermine its judicial independence and its mandate and deprive millions of victims of international atrocities across the world of justice and hope," it said in a statement sent to Reuters.
Trump Administration Imposed Sanctions in 2020
Trump’s first administration imposed sanctions on the ICC in 2020 in response to investigations into war crimes in Afghanistan, including allegations of torture by U.S. citizens. Those sanctions were lifted by President Joe Biden’s administration, though Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in May last year that it was willing to work with Congress to potentially impose new sanctions on the ICC over the prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
New Sanctions Could Target Individuals Assisting the Court
ICC watchers said the new sanctions would make it possible to target individuals assisting the work of the court. "The bill is also broad because anyone who provides support to the court on any case exposes themselves to sanctions," Milena Sterio, international law expert at Cleveland State University, told Reuters.
ICC President Warns of Consequences
In December, the court’s president, judge Tomoko Akane, told the ICC’s 125 member nations that "these measures would rapidly undermine the Court’s operations in all situations and cases and jeopardize its very existence."
Conclusion
The U.S. House’s vote to sanction the ICC is a significant move that could have far-reaching consequences for the court and its operations. The ICC has been investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity in several countries, including Afghanistan and Palestine, and has issued arrest warrants for several individuals, including Israeli officials.
FAQs
Q: What is the International Criminal Court?
A: The International Criminal Court is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression in member states or by their nationals.
Q: Why did the U.S. House vote to sanction the ICC?
A: The U.S. House voted to sanction the ICC in protest at its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Q: What are the consequences of the new sanctions?
A: The new sanctions could target individuals assisting the work of the court and undermine the court’s operations in all situations and cases.