House Speaker considers imposing sanctions on ICC officials for issuing arrest warrants for Israel and Hamas leaders
Mike Johnson has joined the Biden administration and members of Congress from both parties in denouncing the International Criminal Court’s recent announcement.
The House Speaker, Mike Johnson (R-La.), has expressed his intention to introduce legislation that would enable the United States to impose sanctions on ICC officials.
Speaking at the weekly GOP press conference on May 22, he emphasized the bipartisan nature of the bill and the importance of addressing the intricacies of the issue.
The announcement by Karim A.A. Khan, the chief prosecutor of the ICC, on May 20, declaring intent to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh, and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, in connection with alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, prompted this response.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, testifying before the Senate on May 21, expressed openness to collaborating with Congress on a legislative response to the ICC’s actions.
Benjamin Netanyahu, in an interview with CNN on May 21, described the ICC’s announcement as “beyond outrageous.”
The Biden administration and bipartisan members of Congress have condemned the ICC’s decision.
President Joe Biden declared that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas, and reiterated the US’s support for Israel’s security.
Mike Johnson emphasized that the ICC has no authority over Israel or the United States, and criticized the decision as illegitimate and baseless.
A group of senators voiced concerns that the ICC’s actions could jeopardize peace efforts in the Middle East and humanitarian negotiations.
While some lawmakers supported the ICC move, House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) introduced a bill to counteract the ICC’s actions.
The ICC, founded in 2002, has prosecuted war criminals but faces criticism for its actions against certain countries and leaders.
Notably, the United States and Israel are not members of the ICC.
