Bipartisan congress members threaten to sanction ICC officials if they issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials

Congress members on both sides of the aisle are threatening to sanction ICC officials if they issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials over ‘war crimes’ and other pre-October 7th ‘crimes’.

While the White House has issued a mild statement, they haven’t come out and forcefully opposed these arrest warrants being considered by the ICC.

Speaker Johnson made clear today that Joe Biden should “immediately and unequivocally demand that the ICC stand down.”

Here’s more from Axios:

The International Criminal Court is being warned by members of Congress in both parties that arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials will be met with U.S. retaliation – and legislation to that effect is already in the works, Axios has learned.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone so far as to urge President Biden to intervene to help prevent the warrants, Axios’ Barak Ravid reported.

The ICC has been investigating allegations of war crimes against both the Israeli military and Palestinian militia groups dating back to 2014.

The White House declined to comment on Netanyahu’s call with Biden but said “the ICC has no jurisdiction in this situation and we do not support its investigation.”

“Disgraceful” and “Lawless.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) issued a statement on Monday calling the reported warrants “disgraceful” and “lawless.”

“If unchallenged by the Biden administration, the ICC could create and assume unprecedented power to issue arrest warrants against American political leaders, American diplomats, and American military personnel,” Johnson said.

Johnson called for the Biden administration to “immediately and unequivocally demand that the ICC stand down” and “use every available tool to prevent such an abomination.”

The speaker joins several Republican lawmakers who have harshly criticized the ICC in recent days.

One Republican House member told Axios there is already legislation being drafted to respond to any warrants.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told Axios he expects a House version of Sen. Tom Cotton’s (R-Ark.) bill to sanction ICC officials involved in investigating the U.S. and its allies, but added: “We hope it doesn’t come to that.”

Democrats also want Biden and Congress to strongly oppose this…

It’s not just Republicans lashing out and warning the ICC that warrants could be met with a legislative response.

Staunchly pro-Israel Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) have both criticized the reported warrants, with Torres calling for “strong consequences from both Congress and the President.”

“The ICC apparently considers warrants on Israeli leaders for legitimate self-defense. Such a decision would be outrageous & I condemn it,” Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said in a post on X.

Similar to Torres, Sherman warned: “I know Congress will ensure consequences for such an absurd decision.”

And then there’s the pro-Hamas, anti-Israel Congress members:

“The ICC is an independent body, and it needs to proceed with what they need to do,” said Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), a vocal critic of Israel.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), another progressive Israel critic, said “it’s not a matter for Congress to be telling them what to be doing.”

Several Democratic lawmakers who have been critical of Israel said they believe it’s premature to weigh in on the potential warrants before they are unveiled.

“Why don’t we see what happens, and then we can evaluate based on whatever comes out,” Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) told Axios.

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said he has “concerns about the prosecution of the war” but “it’s always a good idea to get the facts before making a judgment.”

 

Source: https://therightscoop.com

Your Tax Free Donations Are Appreciated and Help Fund our Volunteer Website

Disclaimer: We at Prepare for Change (PFC) bring you information that is not offered by the mainstream news, and therefore may seem controversial. The opinions, views, statements, and/or information we present are not necessarily promoted, endorsed, espoused, or agreed to by Prepare for Change, its leadership Council, members, those who work with PFC, or those who read its content. However, they are hopefully provocative. Please use discernment! Use logical thinking, your own intuition and your own connection with Source, Spirit and Natural Laws to help you determine what is true and what is not. By sharing information and seeding dialogue, it is our goal to raise consciousness and awareness of higher truths to free us from enslavement of the matrix in this material realm.