The US House of Representatives passed a contentious bill on Thursday, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction (ICC) Act, which would impose sanctions against foreign nationals who attempt to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The measure garnered bipartisan support, passing 243-140.
45 Democrats backed the bill alongside 198 Republicans. All opposing votes came from Democrats, including prominent progressive figures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.).
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also opposed the measure.
The ICC Act mandates that the US president impose punitive measures, such as visa revocations, against ICC officials pursuing charges against Netanyahu, 75, and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, 66. Both leaders are accused of war crimes related to Israel’s military operations against Hamas.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), representing the South Bronx, described the ICC’s actions as “the weaponization of international law.”
He supported the bill: “The ICC has set a precedent for criminalizing self-defence. Any nation defending itself from enemies using civilians as human shields faces persecution disguised as prosecution.” Other Democrats who supported the legislation included Reps. Dan Goldman (Manhattan and Brooklyn), Grace Meng (Queens), Laura Gillen, and Tom Suozzi (both from Long Island).
Republican Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), who opposes US involvement in foreign conflicts, was the only member marked as “present.”
Beyond sanctioning ICC officials targeting Israel and other US allies, the bill also seeks to halt American taxpayer funding for the tribunal. The United States and Israel have never ratified the 1998 Rome Statute, establishing the ICC.
A similar bill passed the House last year by a margin of 247-155 but failed to gain traction in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
The recent push follows ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s announcement of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant, citing “reasonable grounds” for war crimes involving the deprivation of essential resources to Gaza civilians.
Thursday’s vote coincided with the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Carter, who brokered the 1978 Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, was a vocal critic of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, describing them as akin to apartheid.
His passing on Dec. 29 at age 100 marked the end of a historic life intertwined with Middle East diplomacy.
During floor debates, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) condemned the ICC’s actions, asserting, “We may not recognize you, but you sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target America or its allies.”
He argued that the court’s pursuit of Netanyahu undermines Israel’s right to self-defence and emboldens Hamas, prolonging the conflict and complicating the release of American hostages.
The ICC Act now heads to the Senate, where its fate remains uncertain amid ongoing geopolitical debates and diplomatic sensitivities surrounding Israel and international law.
