Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik joined Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) in introducing the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act to sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate or prosecute the United States and its allies, including Israel who does not recognize the ICC’s authority. This comes after reports that the ICC plans to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other senior officials of the Israel Defence Forces.
This bill would sanction and revoke the visas of any ICC employee or associate that is involved in investigating, prosecuting, or assisting in the investigation or prosecution of current or former U.S. soldiers or officials or the current or former officials or troops of any ally of the United States which does not recognize the authority of the ICC. Additionally, it revokes the visas of all ICC employees, all persons acting on behalf of the ICC, and the immediate family members of those sanctioned for investigating U.S. and allied troops and officials.
“The International Criminal Court’s threats to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netannyahu and other Israeli Defense officials expose a campaign to undermine the only democracy in the Middle East, while turning a blind eye to the numerous human right atrocities committed by Hamas,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “This double standard is an abuse of power by the ICC and exposes their irrelevance. I am proud to support the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act that will put guardrails in place to protect Israel and our allies from baseless attacks from the ICC. The ICC is on notice, if they move forward with these illegitimate warrants, the international bureaucrats involved will face consequences.”
“The ICC is an illegitimate court that represents a massive threat to US sovereignty. The Trump administration was right to impose sanctions on the associates of the ICC if they dare go after US citizens, servicemembers, or our allies; Biden's decision to reverse that policy was weak, embarrassing, and wrong. Now reports indicate the ICC is poised to issue arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and other high-ranking Israeli officials. America's policy should be unquestionably clear: if the ICC goes after our allies, there will be consequences. I am proud to lead the effort with Rep. Mast and others to correct Biden’s error and reimpose sanctions on associates of the ICC,” said Congressman Chip Roy.
Stefanik has consistently held the ICC accountable and warned they would face consequences if they issue arrest warrants. In April 2024, Stefanik co-led a letter with Representatives D’Esposito (R-NY) and Molinaro (R-NY) demanding Joe Biden and Secretary Blinken strongly support Israel and oppose efforts by the ICC to issue warrants against key Israeli leadership and defense officials.
