Washington – Saba:
The U.S. House of Representatives plans to vote this week on legislation imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court officials.
The action came in response to the court's prosecution of Israel for war crimes in the Gaza Strip, including the issuance of arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant.
The bill, introduced by Republican Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, would penalize anyone involved in investigations against U.S. citizens or officials of U.S. allies, such as Israel, and include blocking funding for the international tribunal.
House Speaker Mike Johnson justified the legislation by saying that the court has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, denouncing the court's equality between Israel and Hamas.
The bill has the support of the Republican Party and some Democrats and is set to take effect 60 days after it passes. The vote could take place next Thursday.
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