Don’t Sanction the ICC. NO on H.R.23!

It is crucial that you vote NO on H.R. 23. Here are some reasons why:   • Obstructing the ICC from pursuing accountability for those charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity compromises the stated commitment of the US to center human rights in foreign policy.
 • Condemning the ICC for seeking to hold Israeli leaders accountable for their actions demonstrates blatant hypocrisy as President Biden stated that the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin was “justified”. If Russian leaders should be held accountable for their war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, then so too should Israeli leaders for their actions in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.
 • By reimposing sanctions on the ICC, as was done through Executive Order by President Trump, Congress would further eviscerate the post-World War II global human rights rules-based order through its protection of Israel’s manifestly illegal actions in Gaza.
 • The ICC is seeking to hold all actors accountable for their actions. Applying the same set of standards to all is moral, legal, and political consistency. 
 • Contrary to the false assertions of the Biden administration and some Members of Congress, the ICC does have jurisdiction to seek accountability for actions committed in Occupied Palestinian Territory by virtue of the State of Palestine’s acceptance of the ICC’s jurisdiction and its accession to the Rome Statute in 2015. Please stand for human rights and abide by international law instead of undermining it.