Thune Vows Sanctions on ICC Over Netanyahu Warrants; Presses Schumer to Act on House-Passed Bill

Nov 17, 2024, 10:28 PM

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced that the United States will impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it does not reverse its arrest warrants against Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Thune emphasized that if Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer does not bring the bipartisan sanctions bill, passed by the House in June, to a vote during the lame duck session, he will act on it in the next Congress. Senators Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins, Tim Scott, and others echoed Thune's call for immediate legislative action to sanction the ICC. Senator Mike Lee referred to the ICC as a "lawless entity." The Republican leadership, including President Trump, is prepared to enact the sanctions into law to support Israel and condemn what they view as the ICC's unlawful actions.