U.S. Considers Sanctions Against ICC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reacted strongly to the International Criminal Court (ICC) requesting arrest warrants for himself, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and top Hamas leaders. In an appearance on "Hannity," Netanyahu condemned the ICC's actions, which have also prompted the U.S. to consider imposing sanctions on the international body.

Orde Kittrie, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a law professor at Arizona State University, criticized the ICC for its inefficiency, noting that the court has achieved less than 10 successful prosecutions in over two decades despite spending over $2 billion. As of July 2022, the ICC has handled 31 cases leading to 10 convictions and four acquittals, issued 37 arrest warrants, detained 21 people, and has 12 individuals at large.

The ICC’s total annual budget for 2023 is approximately $183.5 million, marking a 20% increase from the previous year. Funding for the ICC is provided by member states based on their economic size, with Japan being the largest contributor in 2022 at around $26.85 million, followed by Germany and France. Appropriations are divided into nine categories, including the Judiciary, Office of the Prosecutor, and Registry.

Outgoing Registrar Peter Lewis has highlighted the ICC's unprecedented workload and its reliance on member state cooperation. Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, criticized the Biden administration for not protecting Israelis and Americans from the ICC's actions, urging the administration to invoke the American Servicemembers Protection Act and sanction the ICC.

The Biden administration has increased its cooperation with the ICC, offering assistance and intelligence for investigations into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. Despite this cooperation, the administration has reiterated its disagreement with the ICC’s actions regarding Afghanistan and Palestinian situations.

House lawmakers are working on a bipartisan response to the ICC following its top prosecutor's statement about seeking arrest warrants against Hamas and top Israeli officials. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., mentioned ongoing discussions between Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and ranking member Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., to reach a bipartisan consensus.

McCaul criticized the ICC as a politically motivated judicial body with no jurisdiction in this matter and emphasized Israel's robust judicial system. He called for a strong, bipartisan response from Congress. Speaker Mike Johnson has also expressed concerns, describing the situation as a threat to the international community and allies. He mentioned multiple options for a response and discussed the matter directly with Netanyahu.

A House bill introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., and Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, includes a waiver provision contingent on the ICC backing away from actions against Netanyahu. The bill has gained significant support, growing from 15 original co-sponsors to 62. Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., supports a robust response to the ICC and urges strong U.S. action against globalist organizations. The American Servicemembers Protection Act, also known as the "Hague Invasion Act," allows the U.S. president to use "all means necessary and appropriate" to release U.S. or allied citizens detained by the ICC and prevents the U.S. from providing support to the ICC.

The House is facing a week-long recess, making it unlikely to take action until June, but lawmakers anticipate a vote on the bill sometime in early June. The situation remains dynamic as both U.S. and Israeli officials navigate the complex international legal landscape.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal elites and their globalist allies are showing their true colors by empowering the International Criminal Court (ICC) to target our staunchest ally, Israel, and its valiant leader, Prime Minister Netanyahu. The ICC, a bureaucratic nightmare that has squandered over $2 billion with minimal results, is now weaponized by the left to undermine national sovereignty and justice. The Biden administration, instead of protecting our allies and our own servicemembers, is cozying up to this farcical institution, feeding it intelligence and support. It's a disgrace that the Democrats are more focused on appeasing international bodies than standing up for American and Israeli interests. Thankfully, Republicans in the House are gearing up to take a stand, with strong leaders like McCaul and Johnson ready to push back against this politically motivated judicial overreach. The American people deserve better than a government that bows to globalist pressures and fails to defend its own citizens and allies.

Liberal Bias:

The conservative cabal is at it again, desperately trying to shield their authoritarian buddies from accountability. The ICC, an institution striving for global justice, is under attack from the right-wing extremists who can't stand the idea of their actions being scrutinized. Netanyahu, whose policies have often been controversial and oppressive, now faces the consequences, and the Republicans are scrambling to protect him. The Biden administration's increased cooperation with the ICC, especially in investigating Russian war crimes, is a step towards justice, but the GOP can't stomach it. They'd rather pass bills to undermine international law and protect their own interests. It's laughable how they cry about political motivation when their every move reeks of it. The American Servicemembers Protection Act is a thinly veiled attempt to bully the ICC into submission. It's high time we held these leaders accountable and stopped the conservative agenda from eroding international justice and human rights.