US House Votes to Sanction International Criminal Court

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court after its prosecutor sought arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. The bill aims to block entry and revoke visas for ICC officials but faces opposition from President Joe Biden and is unlikely to pass the Senate. The prosecutor is targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The US House of Representatives has passed legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) after its prosecutor sought arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.

The proposed sanctions, introduced by pro-Israel Republicans, would block entry to the US for ICC officials and revoke their visas.

The bill passed with 247 votes to 155, but it faces strong opposition from President Joe Biden and is unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Prosecutor Karim Khan is seeking warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Netanyahu and Gallant denounced the warrants, while Biden's administration condemned the ICC's actions but does not support the sanctions.

Created by a UN treaty in 2002, the ICC prosecutes genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes when national authorities fail to act.