House votes to impose sanctions on ICC Officials charged with prosecuting Israel

The Republican-drafted bill, which the White House strongly opposes, is unlikely to pass after lawmakers fail to failed to reach bipartisan agreement on the penalizing measures. On Tuesday, the House voted largely along political lines in favor of imposing draconian sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court, in response to efforts by the Court's Attorney General to charge senior Israeli leaders with war crimes related to the offensive against Hamas.

The bill would require President Biden to restrict entry into the United States, revoke visas, and impose financial restrictions on anyone in court. involved in attempts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute “protected persons” or allies of the United States. It would also target anyone providing “financial, material or technological support” for these efforts.

Mr. Biden's advisers said he was "strongly opposed" to the measure because it would impose sanctions on a very broad range of officials, including court staff members and any witnesses involved in a potential case. But it reflects broad bipartisan anger in Washington after the court's attorney general announced late last month that he would file charges against Israeli and Hamas leaders.

The bill drafted by the Republican Party was adopted. by a vote of 247-155, with two Republicans voting present and 42 Democrats crossing party lines to support him.

Representative Chip Roy, Republican of Texas and author of the bill. , said it was a necessary step to prevent the International Court from acting beyond its jurisdiction and to allay fears that the measures taken against Israeli officials were a prelude to actions against American officials.

“What happens here is going to have repercussions on us and on our country,” Roy said Tuesday. “This is why it is important to speak with one voice, with authority and strength.”

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