House passes bill sanctioning International Criminal Court over Netanyahu arrest warrant

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill that seeks to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the arrest warrant it issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last year.

The ICC alleged that Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant committed war crimes during the ongoing war in Gaza. It also sanctioned Hamas leader Mohammed Deif. 

The bill, which will head to the Senate next, says the warrants should be condemned in the "strongest possible terms," and would impose sanctions against “any effort to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies.” 

The sanctions could include blocking or revoking visas, and prohibiting U.S. property transactions, according to CNN.

Kennedy GOP Rep. Thomas Massie said he voted "present" on the bill, because the ICC does not have jurisdiction over the United States, and encouraged lawmakers to remain focus on American goals. The bill was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast. 

"The U.S. House did only one thing today. We passed a bill to protect Israeli PM Netanyahu from the International Criminal Court," Massie posted on X. "I voted present. The ICC has no authority over the United States, but we should not get involved in disputes between other countries. Focus on [America]."

The House previously passed the same bill in the 118th Congress, but it was not called up for a vote in the Senate.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.