Tue Jan 28 21:05:47 UTC 2025: ## Senate Blocks Sanctions on International Criminal Court Over Netanyahu Warrants

**Washington, D.C.** – A controversial bill aimed at sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The Senate voted 54-45 in favor of the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” falling short of the 60 votes needed for passage.

The bill, which had previously passed the House, would have imposed sanctions on individuals involved in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting U.S. citizens or those of allied nations without their consent, including Israel. While the legislation garnered bipartisan support in the House, the Senate vote largely fell along party lines, with most Democrats opposing the measure. Only Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Republicans in supporting the bill, while Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) did not vote.

Opponents, primarily Democrats, argued that the bill was overly broad, potentially harming U.S. allies and even targeting low-level ICC employees. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the ICC’s perceived anti-Israel bias, but voiced concerns that the legislation was poorly drafted and could inadvertently impact U.S. companies providing cybersecurity services to the court. Despite shared concerns about the ICC’s actions, Democrats ultimately felt the bill’s potential negative consequences outweighed its benefits. The failure of the bill signals a setback for efforts to pressure the ICC regarding its investigations into Israeli officials.

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