Lawmakers Propose Potential Sanctions for International Criminal Court

Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Brian Mast, R-Fla., introduced a bill May 7 that would sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) officials if they issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials over the war in Gaza.

The lawmakers said that instead of targeting Israel, which has been acting in self-defense, the Netherlands-based court should be going after Hamas leaders for committing human rights violations in their Oct. 7 attack against the Jewish state. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is expected to introduce a companion bill in the Senate.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order in 2020 authorizing sanctions against ICC officials who investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute citizens of the U.S. or its allies (see 2006110028). President Joe Biden revoked the order in 2021 (see 2104020046), with State Department officials saying sanctions weren’t the right approach.