GOP Lawmakers Push for ICC Sanctions After Court Issues Arrest Warrants for Israeli Leaders

Several Republican lawmakers called for sanctioning International Criminal Court (ICC) officials after the ICC issued arrest warrants Nov. 21 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the war in Gaza.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the court's decision is unjustified and that the Senate should pass an ICC sanctions bill the House approved in June, when the court was threatening arrest warrants (see 2406050037). Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said the Senate should vote on the legislation if the Biden administration does not sanction the court.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., who is slated to become Senate majority leader when Republicans take control of the chamber in January, reiterated his plans to bring up the ICC bill next year if the current majority leader, Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., doesn't do so this year (see 2411180020). “Israel has a right to defend itself, and the ICC’s rogue actions only enable the terrorists who seek to wipe Israel off the map," Thune said.

The administration in May criticized the arrest warrant threats but said it would prefer a different approach than sanctions (see 2405290004). House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., has said the House bill was too broad and could result in sanctions being imposed on U.S. allies that support the ICC with funding and staff.