The Senate Must Act Quickly to Approve the ICC Sanctions Bill
In a significant move against the anti-Israel agenda, the House passed a bill on Thursday condemning the International Criminal Court for its absurd campaign targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The legislation, known as the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” imposes sanctions on ICC officials and “any foreign individual who aids the ICC’s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons of the United States and its allies,” which includes Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Following a spurious investigation aimed at discrediting Israel’s leadership, the ICC charged Netanyahu and Gallant with “crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024” and subsequently issued arrest warrants in November.
Neither the US nor Israel acknowledges the ICC’s authority, rendering the court devoid of jurisdiction in both countries.
The ICC’s continuous overreach and vilification of Israel (while Hamas continues to hold Israeli and American hostages) presents a blatant affront to the US.
This act serves as a reminder to the court (and globally) that trampling on Uncle Sam’s toes carries repercussions, putting Israel-bashing ICC prosecutor Karim Khan “back in his place,” as Speaker Mike Johnson articulated.
The Senate should act swiftly to pass this bill.
The legislation enjoys bipartisan backing, and Democrats in the Senate have indicated a willingness to collaborate with Republicans on rational issues.
A number of Democratic Senators (Jon Tester, Mark Kelly, John Fetterman, Gary Peters, Jon Ossoff, and Ruben Gallego) have diverged from the party line to support the Laken Riley Act, which requires that illegal migrants arrested, charged, or convicted of “burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting” be detained.
This demonstrates that certain Senate Democrats are open to working with Republicans on practical legislation instead of obstructing all initiatives in the name of “resistance.”
Therefore, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act stands a chance of not succumbing to partisan stalemate; it must not.
As President-elect Trump prepares to enter the White House, it’s vital for Washington to signal to our friends (and foes) that the era of appeasing unprovoked aggressors is over.
The ICC sanctions bill is an excellent place to initiate that shift.
