Benton Times

Congressman Steve Womack has announced his support for H.R. 23, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which recently passed in the House of Representatives. The bill seeks to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for any actions taken against U.S. citizens and its allies, including Israel. It also ensures that no federal funding will be directed to the ICC.

In a statement, Congressman Womack said, “October 7, 2023, marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Hamas brutally murdered, raped, and kidnapped thousands of innocent Israelis, 96 of whom they still hold hostage. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s response is justified. The ICC’s attempt to equate Hamas’ terrorist actions with Israel’s defense of its people and homeland is ridiculous on its face. This bill holds the ICC accountable for their illegitimate and dangerous claims, which threaten the U.S. and our allies. It’s our moral and strategic obligation to stand strong with Israel as they fight to destroy the evil Hamas terrorist network.”

The background leading up to this legislation includes several key events: On May 20, 2024, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant alongside warrants for Hamas terrorists. Later that year, on November 21, 2024, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber issued arrest warrants for both Israeli officials.

This move comes after President Trump in 2020 issued Executive Order (EO) 13928 sanctioning those associated with efforts by the ICC targeting U.S. citizens or allies without jurisdictional consent from those nations—specifically highlighting non-ICC members like Israel.

However, in April 2021 President Biden revoked EO 13928 allowing renewed focus by the ICC on U.S., Israeli interests—a development now countered by this proposed legislation given neither country is party to Rome Statute nor member within framework governing operations under auspices overseeing international justice mechanism represented through court system operating globally today.

The Senate will now consider this measure following its passage in House proceedings earlier discussed herein contextually relating broader geopolitical discourse ongoing presently regarding complex matters pertaining interrelations between sovereign states vis-à-vis transnational judicial interventions posited therein aforementioned commentary situationally relevant contemporaneous affairs currently unfolding internationally speaking at juncture observed recent historical precedent set forth antecedently explicated above.