The US House of Representatives voted 243–140 to approve the “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act,” which seeks to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Axar.az reports that the move comes in protest of the ICC's charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity stemming from Israel’s military actions against Hamas in Gaza. If enacted, the bill would impose sanctions on ICC officials or entities involved in prosecuting US or allied leaders, including measures such as visa revocations and prohibitions on property transactions.

The bill underscores strong Republican support for Israel, with 45 Democrats joining 198 Republicans to back the legislation.

“America is passing this law because a kangaroo court is seeking to arrest the prime minister of our great ally, Israel,” Representative Brian Mast, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a House speech before the vote.

The ICC’s charges allege that Netanyahu and Gallant directed attacks on civilians in Gaza and hindered international aid, constituting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israel has strongly denied these claims, citing Hamas’s use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes and highlighting the challenges of delivering aid in a war zone.

The legislation now heads to the Senate, where it faces a tougher path, as Republican leaders must secure support from Democratic senators.

While President-elect Donald Trump has expressed support, the outgoing Biden administration has been cautious about actions that might undermine the ICC, given its role in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin.