U.S. Reps. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Rudy Yakym (R-IN) criticized plans by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli military and government officials, including two of the country’s top leaders, for war crimes.
“The ICC has no ability or authority to enforce these baseless arrest warrant requests,” said Rep. Yakym. “I fully support Israel’s sovereignty and their inherent right to self-defense as they protect their people and fight back against Hamas terrorists who attacked them on Oct. 7.”
The ICC’s Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan recently said he is seeking several arrest warrants for individuals including Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
Rep. Mast and Rep. Yakym denounced the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, who they said are only trying to defend their nation against Hamas.
“The International Kangaroo Court is trying to create a false equivalency between Hamas and Israel. Hamas raped and butchered 1,200 innocent Israeli and American citizens,” Rep. Mast said. “Everything Israel has done since has been to secure the release of the remaining hostages, including six Americans.”
Rep. Mast on May 7 also cosponsored the GOP-led Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, H.R. 8282, which would impose sanctions with respect to the ICC engaged in any effort to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies, according to the congressional record bill summary.
“It’s time that Congress put this globalist organization in its place,” said Rep. Mast. “House Republicans will send a clear message that although America doesn’t recognize the International Criminal Court — the court sure as hell will recognize what happens when you target our allies.”