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Ammon News - House Republicans this week are set to consider a bill that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for a decision by its top prosecutor last month to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The House Rules Committee hearing was held this week to discuss the proposed bill.

“We think it’s important for Republicans and Democrats to stand together and send a message to the international community that the abuses of the ICC cannot be allowed to go forward,” said Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The lawmakers backing the bill accuse the ICC of “historic bias” against Israel.

In a letter written by more than 20 Democrats, the lawmakers called on the Biden administration “to consult with Congress to immediately impose sanctions against the ICC's Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and any other officials who have demonstrated undue bias in their actions.”

According to the proposed bill, “the President shall impose sanctions on the ICC not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Act if the International Criminal Court is engaging in any attempt to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person.”

Last week, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said that the sanctions were not the right answer.

Asharq Al-Awsat