US Congress Threatens ICC with Retaliation over Arrest Warrants for “Israeli” Officials

By Staff, Agencies

The American lawmakers are in the process of drafting a bill aimed at responding to the International Criminal Court [ICC] in case it decides to issue arrest warrants against high-ranking “Israeli” officials accused of committing war crimes in Gaza.

The legislation is being drafted in a retaliatory move against the ICC to prevent it from issuing arrest warrants against “Israeli” officials. It could also include sanctions against certain officials of the ICC, according to American news outlet Axios.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that the US did not support the ICC investigation, questioning the competency of the tribunal. “We don't believe that they have the jurisdiction,” Jean-Pierre said.

Michael McCaul, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also anticipated the unveiling of a House bill that mirrors Senator Tom Cotton’s proposal to impose sanctions on ICC officials who are part of inquiries targeting the US and its partners, he told Axios.

Representative Brad Sherman also said that the US should "think of whether we stay a signatory" to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. “We have to think about talking to some of the countries that have ratified [the treaty] as to whether they want to support the organization,” he said.

Pro- “Israeli” Democratic lawmakers, Representative Ritchie Torres and Senator John Fetterman, have also expressed concern regarding possible warrants, urging for action from both Congress and US President Joe Biden to block them.

“I know Congress will ensure consequences for such an absurd decision,” Sherman said in a post on a social media platform.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has criticized the possible warrants as “disgraceful” and “lawless”, cautioning about severe repercussions if not dealt with.

“If unchallenged by the Biden administration, the ICC could create and assume unprecedented power to issue arrest warrants against American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel,” Johnson said.

He urged the Biden administration to “immediately and unequivocally demand that the ICC stand down” and “use every available tool to prevent such an abomination.”

The ICC, located in The Hague, the Netherlands, is currently conducting investigations into reported war crimes committed by the “Israeli” military.

It has been looking into accusations of war crimes involving the “Israeli” military factions since 2014.

“Israeli” prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly requested the intervention of Biden to avert the issuance of arrest warrants.

“As we have publicly said many times, the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and we do not support its investigation,” a spokesperson for the White House "National Security" Council said.