House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced Monday that the House of Representatives might vote on imposing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) for seeking an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This impending vote, which GOP sources told Axios could occur as soon as this week, is expected to further divide House Democrats over Israel.
Background
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) introduced a bill aimed at sanctioning ICC officials who investigate U.S. citizens or allies. The bill is supported by nearly two dozen Republicans, including Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), chair of the House Republican Conference. The move comes in response to ICC prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement of seeking arrest warrants against Netanyahu and three Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, over alleged war crimes.
Significance
This application represents the first time the ICC has attempted to prosecute a major U.S. ally or the leader of a democratic country. Notably, neither Israel nor the U.S. are members of the ICC. Johnson emphasized that Congress is considering various options, including sanctions, to ensure the ICC faces consequences if it proceeds with the prosecution. He also accused the Biden administration of indirectly supporting the prosecution through its efforts to limit Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Political Reactions
President Biden called the ICC’s application “outrageous” and criticized Khan for equating Israel’s actions with those of Hamas. The White House, when asked about Johnson’s criticism, referred back to Biden’s statement. The controversy has united many Republicans and some Democrats in opposition to the ICC’s move.
Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) rejected the ICC prosecutor’s announcement outright, while Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) described the warrant against Netanyahu as politically motivated rather than legal. Similarly, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) criticized the ICC for equating Israel with Hamas, calling it a “gaping moral failure.”
Behind the Scenes
In the weeks following the news of potential warrants, members of Congress have been actively engaging with ICC officials to try to halt the prosecution. This included a virtual meeting between a bipartisan group of senators and senior ICC officials where concerns about the investigation were voiced. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) mentioned that the sanctions legislation is a precautionary measure against the warrants. GOP senators are waiting for the House to act before pushing their own version of a sanctions bill.
Opposition Within Congress
While many lawmakers oppose the ICC’s decision, some progressive members are supportive. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) expressed willingness to facilitate the ICC’s efforts should Netanyahu visit Congress. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) stated that the ICC should be allowed to work independently and described Khan’s allegations as significant.
Conclusion
The House’s potential vote on sanctions against the ICC highlights the deep divisions within Congress regarding Israel and international justice. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the proposed sanctions will impact U.S. relations with the ICC and international diplomatic dynamics surrounding Israel and Palestine.