The US House of Representatives passed a contentious bill on Thursday to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its arrest warrants for Israeli officials accused of committing war crimes against Palestinians.

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, introduced shortly after the 119th Congress convened, passed with a 243-140 vote. The bill seeks to penalize those who assist the ICC in prosecuting American or Israeli officials, effectively undermining international efforts to hold perpetrators of alleged war crimes accountable.

The ICC issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the besieged Gaza Strip. The move was hailed by human rights advocates as a step toward justice for Palestinians enduring decades of oppression and violence.

The bill has been met with fierce criticism, particularly from progressive lawmakers. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, condemned the legislation for prioritizing shielding Israeli officials over addressing urgent domestic needs.

“What’s their top priority the first week of the new Congress? Lowering costs? Addressing the housing crisis? No, it's sanctioning the International Criminal Court to protect genocidal maniac Netanyahu so he can continue the genocide in Gaza,” Tlaib wrote on X.

Rep. Jim McGovern also lambasted the bill for misplaced priorities amid national crises, such as the California wildfires. “Of all the ways Republicans have shown how backwards their priorities are, this bill to sanction the ICC really takes the cake,” McGovern said on the House floor.

Despite the backlash, Senate Majority Leader John Thune vowed to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote, signaling continued efforts to shield Israeli officials from accountability on the international stage.

The bill’s passage comes as Israel continues its relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, since October 7, 2023. Despite mounting international calls for a cease-fire, including a UN Security Council resolution, the attacks persist.

Critics argue that the legislation signals US complicity in shielding Israel from accountability for its ongoing violations of international law, further exacerbating the suffering of the Palestinian people. (ILKHA)