US supports bill on sanctions against ICC over arrest warrant for Netanyahu
Democrats joined Republicans in the decision (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill imposing sanctions on individuals associated with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The decision comes in response to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports CNN.
The bill calls for the strongest possible condemnation of warrants against Israeli officials. According to the text, it imposes sanctions on the court for any effort to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person of the US and its allies. The sanctions include prohibitions on transactions involving US property and the blocking or revocation of visas.
The House of Representatives passed the bill on ICC sanctions during its final Congressional session, with 247 votes in favor and 155 against. Notably, 42 Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure. The bill now moves to the Senate, which is set to be led by the Republican Party.
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official. They were accused of war crimes during and after Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
CNN reports that the ICC's targeting of Netanyahu has sparked bipartisan backlash in the US Congress, with both Republicans and Democrats voicing strong opposition.
