January 10, 2025, New York, NY – Yesterday, a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. This legislation is a significant step in countering the biased and politically motivated actions against Israel by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This decision by the ICC goes against not only Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Minister Gallant personally but also puts a target on the back of every member of the Israel Defense Forces fighting against terrorism. Moreover, the ICC’s actions have even broader repercussions that endanger America itself. The precedent with Israel shows that America and other Western countries could be exposed to a similar judicial overreach and be targeted in a similar fashion by biased international institutions.
The Jewish community was anticipating yesterday’s vote as an important occasion for lawmakers to stand with Israel and respond to the ICC’s illegitimate actions. While we commend the U.S. House for demonstrating leadership and unwavering support for Israel by passing this legislation with bipartisan backing, we are deeply disappointed by the fact that 140 Democratic lawmakers decided to vote against the bill.
The American Jewish Congress strongly urges the U.S. Senate to swiftly follow suit and pass this critical legislation, and to show with determination that the United States will continue to stand with Israel and push back against attempts to internationally isolate or criminalize the Jewish state.
