The US House of Representatives approves sanctions against the ICC
The US House of Representatives has approved imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its prosecutor sought arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The bill introduced by pro-Israel Republicans has been accepted with timid Democratic support. The proposed sanctions would block ICC officials involved in the case from entering the US. For the sanctions to materialize, the republican proposal must be approved by the Senate.
Support and opposition to sanctions
The bill has received mostly Republican support, with 247 votes in favor, including 42 pro-Israel Democrats, and 155 votes against Democrats. The proposal now moves to the Senate, where support from Democratic senators will be crucial. Joe Biden’s administration opposes the sanctions, despite its support for the Israeli government, making their passage in the Senate even more difficult. Despite this, some Democrats have shown themselves in favor of the sanctions, although with different nuances compared to the Republican proposal.
Reactions and consequences
The bill’s approval comes after Netanyahu was invited to address the US Congress. This situation highlights the confrontation between the ICC and an ally of the United States. Republicans consider that the Court could become a threat to American sovereignty, defending the need to punish it for arrest warrants. This position has generated debate about the relationship between the ICC and American interests.
