In response to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) request for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders, key House lawmakers are collaborating on a bipartisan US countermeasure.
Outraged by the International Criminal Court's (ICC) request for arrest warrants against both Hamas and top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, key House lawmakers are working on a bipartisan response.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has initiated discussions with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., to forge a consensus on how to address the ICC's actions.
McCaul, a vocal critic of the ICC, has denounced the court as "a flawed and politically motivated judicial body" that lacks jurisdiction in this case. He emphasizes that Israel has a robust judicial system and sees no need for ICC intervention.
With the House facing a week-long recess, no immediate action is expected, but lawmakers are actively considering various options. One possibility is a House bill introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, which proposes strict sanctions against the ICC.
Roy anticipates that their bill will form the basis of the eventual legislation, with potential adjustments to waiver provisions. Mast, however, disagrees with Democrats' proposals for broader waiver powers for President Biden, arguing that the sanctions should be comprehensive.
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., who supports a strong response to the ICC, asserts that global organizations should not have authority over sovereign nations. He believes that the ICC's actions demonstrate a political bias.
The Mast-Roy bill has gained significant support since the ICC's announcement, attracting 62 co-sponsors. Despite not being an initial co-signer, Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., has expressed his commitment to hitting back at the ICC.
Johnson has discussed the matter with Netanyahu and plans to continue consultations. He emphasizes the urgent need for a bipartisan bill that unites lawmakers in condemning the ICC's overreach.
The ICC's request for arrest warrants has not only angered Israeli officials but has also drawn criticism from the United States. President Biden has slammed the ICC's move as "outrageous," while the State Department has reaffirmed its support for Israel's right to self-defense.
It remains to be seen what specific measures the House will adopt in response to the ICC's request, but the bipartisan efforts to counter the court's actions underscore the strong opposition to its interference in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
