By CAIR
Photos: YouTube Screenshots
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on an “absurd” sanctions bill designed to punish any foreign person connected to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation or prosecution of any U.S. individual or ally, including Israel.
This act is a direct retaliation to the ICC’s attempt to secure an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes committed in and around Gaza against the people of Palestine.
CAIR urges all American Muslim community members and allies to use its easy-to-use click-and-send act alert system to tell their U.S. Representatives to “VOTE NO” on the misleadingly titled “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” (H.R. 8282), introduced by Texas Republican Chip Roy.
Already opposed by the White House, these proposed sanctions include blocking property purchases, visa denials, and penalties for violations. Immediate family members of targeted individuals will also face the same restrictions. If signed into law, the act could even target Hollywood actor George Clooney’s wife, Amal Clooney, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer involved in assisting the ICC in its war crimes investigation against Netanyahu and Gallant.
CLICK HERE: TAKE ACTION BEFORE WEDNESDAY JUNE 5TH!
READ: A COPY OF THE BILL
SEE: Biden faces new break with pro-Israel Democrats over ICC sanctions (axios.com)
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:
“Every American needs to make it clear to their members of Congress that this act is absurd—nothing more than petty schoolyard bullying at the highest level. Some U.S. leaders are attempting to threaten the International Criminal Court for legitimately seeking warrants against genocidal, anti-Palestinian war criminals like Netanyahu and Gallant. Members of Congress who vote in support of this act will only further implicate themselves in the genocide of Palestinians and be remembered by history for doing so.”
Take part in CAIR’s alert and send the following message to Congress:
Subject: Urgent: Vote NO on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the misleadingly-titled “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” (H.R. 8282) which is scheduled for a vote this Wednesday. This bill proposes punitive measures against foreign individuals involved with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigations or prosecutions of U.S. citizens and allies, including Israel.
The bill is a blatant political strategy to prevent accountability for serious international crimes. By sanctioning those who engage with the ICC, the bill seeks to shield U.S. and allied individuals from scrutiny and legal consequences for actions that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This not only undermines international law but also sends a dangerous message that certain individuals are above accountability.
The ICC is an essential institution in the global effort to uphold justice and human rights. It provides a crucial platform for investigating and prosecuting the most egregious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity. By imposing sanctions on those involved with the ICC’s efforts, the bill obstructs the pursuit of justice and hampers the ability of victims to seek redress and accountability.
Passing this bill would damage the United States’ reputation as a leader in supporting international justice and human rights. It would also strain diplomatic relations with countries that support the ICC and could lead to retaliatory measures against the U.S. Furthermore, it undermines multilateral efforts to strengthen international legal norms and institutions.
This legislation not only impacts those directly involved with the ICC but also erodes the broader community’s trust in the U.S. commitment to justice. As a member of the Muslim community and a supporter of truth and justice, I am deeply concerned about the negative consequences this bill will have on global efforts to uphold human rights and accountability.
I urge you to stand against this bill and vote NO on the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act. Protecting individuals from legitimate scrutiny and accountability only serves to undermine these efforts and tarnishes the United States’ standing in the international community.
