US House of Representatives Approves ICC Sanctions

The US House of Representatives has supported a bill on sanctions against the International Criminal COURT (ICC) in The Hague, CNN reports.

The document was supported by 243 members of the lower house of the legislative body, 140 voted against.

The restrictions will be imposed for any attempts by the ICC to facilitate the “investigation, arrest, detention, or prosecution of any person under the protection of the United States and its allies.” The sanctions include visa denials and a ban on business contacts with blacklisted individuals.

The lower house of Congress approved a similar bill in the summer of 2024 , but the Senate did not vote on it then — it was under the control of the Democrats. The Republicans have a majority in the new Senate. However, CNN does not specify when they will consider the bill.

The bill, introduced by more than 60 Republican lawmakers, led by Rep. Chip Roy, was originally intended to be a bipartisan effort after ICC prosecutor Karim Khan requested an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli cabinet officials, as well as Hamas leaders.

The US authorities considered the ICC demands outrageous and called the comparison of Israel to Hamas unacceptable. However, the White House opposed the sanctions. Netanyahu said he was surprised and disappointed by the Biden administration's refusal to support the sanctions .

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