WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Representatives Chip Roy (TX-21) and Brian Mast (FL-21) introduced the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who seek to go after U.S. citizens or allies, including Israel.
Representative Roy said, “The ICC is an illegitimate court that represents a massive threat to US sovereignty. The Trump administration was right to impose sanctions on the associates of the ICC if they dare go after US citizens, servicemembers, or our allies; Biden’s decision to reverse that policy was weak, embarrassing, and wrong.
Now reports indicate the ICC is poised to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials. America’s policy should be unquestionably clear: if the ICC goes after our allies, there will be consequences. I am proud to lead the effort with Rep. Mast and others to correct Biden’s error and reimpose sanctions on associates of the ICC.”
“Our legislation sends a clear message to the International Criminal Court,” said Representative Mast. “We may not recognize you, but you sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target America or its allies.”
“The International Criminal Court’s threats to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other Israeli Defense officials expose a campaign to undermine the only democracy in the Middle East, while turning a blind eye to the numerous human right atrocities committed by Hamas,” said Representative Stefanik. “This double standard is an abuse of power by the ICC and exposes their irrelevance. I am proud to support the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act that will put guardrails in place to protect Israel and our allies from baseless attacks from the ICC. The ICC is on notice, if they move forward with these illegitimate warrants, the international bureaucrats involved will face consequences.”
“If the ICC were a legitimate tribunal, they’d have sent out arrest warrants for leaders of Hamas who are scattered throughout the Middle East. Instead they’re poised to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials,”said Advancing American Freedom’s Executive Director Paul Teller.“America stands with Israel and should not stand idly by while the ICC is targeting our freedom-loving allies. Those engaging in these shameful actions at the ICC deserve to be sanctioned by the US.”
Background:
- Israel has been sounding the alarm bells that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is planning to issue illegitimate arrest warrants over false charges of war crimes against Israel.
- In 2020, President Trump issued EO 13928 sanctioning ICC officials, employees and associates who engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute United States citizens or allies – including Israel – that are not part of the ICC or have not granted the ICC jurisdiction.
- Unfortunately, to appease the ICC, the Biden administration revoked these sanctions effectively giving the ICC a free pass to target United States citizens and Israel.
Cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Jim Banks (IN-3), Andy Barr (KY-6), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Dan Crenshaw (TX-2), Anthony D’Esposito (NY-4), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Bob Good (VA-5), Kevin Hern (OK-1), Michael Lawler (NY-17), Richard McCormick (GA-6), Keith Self (TX-3), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Michael Waltz (FL-6), Randy Weber (TX-14), Mark Green (TN-7), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Michael Cloud (TX-27), and Tim Burchett (TN-2).
Senator Tom Cotton (AR) is leading companion legislation in the Senate.
Read the full legislation text here.