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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast introduced legislation with Rep. Chip Roy to sanction the International Criminal Court for its unwarranted targeting of Israel. 

“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,” said Chairman Mast. “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.”

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act would sanction any individual working to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute American citizens or an official from an allied U.S. country, including Israel. The legislation would cover officials from NATO and major non-NATO countries, including Israel, Japan, and Taiwan.

“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,” said Rep. Chip Roy. “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 service members.”

As part of the sanctions imposed by the act, ICC officials and their immediate family members would be denied visas to enter the United States. ICC officials already in the country would have their existing visas revoked and face deportation.

The legislation covers not just ICC employees and their families, but also individuals providing “financial, material, or technological support” to the organization.

A copy of the bill can be found here.

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