Rep. Roy, Chairman Mast reintroduce bill to protect Israel from illegitimate international lawfare

WASHINGTON — On Monday Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21), joined by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast (FL-21) announced the introduction of legislation to shield Israeli officials from the lawless and illegitimate attacks of the so-called “International Criminal Court.”

The “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” (H.R. 23), which was introduced on Friday and included in the 119th House rules package, would impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who seek to go after U.S. citizens or allies, including Israel. 

The legislation passed the House on a bipartisan basis last Congress with the support of 42 Democrats. 

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.

Rep. Roy had the following to say about the bill: 

The ICC is an illegitimate body that has no business interfering with our sovereignty or that of our allies. Now it is engaged in a shameful lawfare campaign against Prime Minister Netanyahu for doing his duty to protect his fellow citizens from Hamas in the wake of the barbaric October 7th attacks. 

But let’s be clear, this isn’t just about Israel, this is about ensuring that our nation's sovereignty is protected, as well as the American servicemembers. If we do not check this rogue, leftist "court" now, we can rest assured that our military leadership and troops will be the next targets of its political attacks. 

While I have full confidence that President Trump will stand for Israel with the strength and moral clarity that Biden has sorely lacked, this bill will ensure that no future administration after him will be able to give the ICC a free pass to attack our allies like this.

Chairman Mast said the following:

“Our bill sends a clear message to the International Criminal Court. We may not recognize you, but you sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target America or its allies. The ICC’s attempt to obstruct Israel's right to defend itself has only prolonged the war and prevented the release of American hostages by boosting Hamas’ morale.”

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) will be leading the effort in the Senate. He added:

“Barring a decisive response, the ICC now poses a direct threat to the sovereignty of America and our allies. This bill would protect America and Israel from the ICC’s most recent abuse of power.”

The bill is also supported by Christians United for Israel (CUFI), American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) Action.

RJC's National Chairman, Senator Norm Coleman and CEO, Matt Brooks:"The Republican Jewish Coalition strongly supports HR 23, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. Last year, House Republicans passed this bill to get ahead of the anti-Israel lynch mob at the International Criminal Court, but Israel has since come under an unprecedented international lawfare threat because Senate Democrats and President Biden blocked the legislation. Now that threat will be addressed - thanks to Republican success in the 2024 elections and strong GOP leadership in the House pushing this forward as a Week One priority."

Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) National President Mort A. Klein stated: “ZOA is pleased the Congress, led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Senator Cotton (R-AR), is urging the strongest possible action to combat the ICC’s discriminatory and illegitimate warrants for the arrest of Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant.  The ICC’s illegitimate actions set harmful precedents that directly harm the U.S., as well as our close ally Israel. Like Israel, the U.S. is not a signatory to the Rome Statute; and yet the ICC has been unlawfully trying to assert jurisdiction over U.S. personnel. The precedent of treating a non-state (Palestinian Authority) as a state will also not be easily undone. The ICC’s lawlessness is a threat to both Israel and the United States. U.S. and Israeli political leaders and military personnel need to be able to defend their citizens without being undermined by politically-driven investigations which have no legal basis.

"ZOA expects the incoming administration to sanction the ICC officials who are misusing the process to target Israeli leadership, but to achieve the maximum deterrence so future warrants will not be proposed against US political and military leaders, sanctions should also be enacted by Congress and made into law, leaving no doubt that all Americans are opposed to the misuse of this international institution."

Read the full text of the bill here.

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