Staff Reports
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would slap sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), much to the cheer of conservatives everywhere. The bill comes in response to the ICC’s audaciousness in issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. Apparently, the ICC believes that it can play judge and jury over leaders of countries that are our allies. Perhaps they missed the memo that Israel is America’s best friend in the Middle East and is bravely standing against the horrors of global terror.
With the vote tally at 243-140, one could hardly accuse Republicans of going at this alone. Surprisingly, a good chunk of Democrats showed up to back the bill as well, with 45 team players from the other side of the aisle joining nearly all Republicans in passing this necessary legislation. While some Democrats issued a collective groan about the bill being far too broad, one has to wonder if they truly grasp the enormity of allowing a court to dictate terms to our friends.
🔴 PASSED! The U.S. House overwhelmingly adopts bill to sanction the hell out of the ICC, over its obscene and outrageous arrest warrants against Israeli leaders fighting Hamas and seeking to bring hostages home!
Thank you @RepBrianMast for your unyielding leadership on this! pic.twitter.com/1AZqkIxJjv
— Arsen Ostrovsky 🎗️ (@Ostrov_A) January 9, 2025
The ICC, headquartered in the Netherlands, has galvanized the ire of U.S. lawmakers who have little patience for its lefty antics. The organization decreed that Netanyahu and Gallant were guilty of serious crimes against the civilians in Gaza, an accusation that seems to overlook the context of self-defense. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, the bill’s sponsor, labeled the warrants as nothing less than a “political witch hunt.” For those not keeping up, a “political witch hunt” in 2023 means bringing accountability to conversations around international criminal justice, which often feel like an affront to U.S. sovereignty and common sense.
If the Senate follows suit and approves this newly minted bill, it will impose economic and visa-related sanctions on any individual who dares to assist in the prosecution or arrest of Israeli officials. This includes not just the legal eagles at the ICC, but also their families—because if you take a swing at our allies, we’re going to put you on notice. The bill’s design is rooted in a simple tenet: America should support its friends and allies against politically motivated attacks.
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast brought up an important point: the ICC is basically letting false accusations against Israel run rampant. Israel, as the vanguard against terror, has historically conducted itself with restraint. In an age where viciousness reigns, they still show a glimmer of humanity. Yet, some Democrats are more concerned about numbers in Gaza than the context of those casualties. Rep. Jim McGovern, among other critics, has lamented the situation, yet somehow overlooks that if Hamas didn’t relish conflict as a political tool, the casualty figures wouldn’t be where they are today.
While the U.S. does not recognize the ICC’s authority and has declined to call out the court when it targets real adversaries like Vladimir Putin, the liberal narrative seems to shift when Israeli politics come into play. A sad commentary on the current state of affairs, especially for those who have routinely encouraged scrapping norms to fit a desired narrative. By punting on the essential nature of supporting a steadfast democratic ally, Democrats have taken sides—just not the right one.
