The U.S. House of Representatives voted to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The vote signals a protest of the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel's campaign in Gaza.
The vote was 243 to 140 in favor of the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. The act would sanction any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains or prosecutes U.S. citizens or those of an allied country who are not members of the court, including Israel.
Forty-five Democrats joined 198 Republicans in backing the bill, with no Republicans opposing.
The ICC said it noted the bill with concern and warned it could rob victims of atrocities of justice and hope. ICC watchers, on the other hand, have stated that sanctions would make it possible for individuals assisting the work of the court to be targeted.
Milena Sterio, international law expert at Cleveland State University, described the bill itself as broad. Anyone who provides support to the court on any case ultimately exposes themselves to the sanctions.
The court has said its decision to pursue warrants against the Israeli officials was in line with its approach in all cases, based on an assessment by the prosecutor that there was enough evidence to proceed and the view that seeking arrest warrants immediately could prevent ongoing crimes.
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