Intel Slava Z

🇺🇲🇮🇱 Axios: Republicans draft ICC sanctions as 'precautionary measure' against arrest warrants for Israeli officials

As the article notes, pro-Israel members of Congress from both parties have previously warned repeatedly that the ICC risks U.S. repercussions if it moves ahead with the warrants.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul confirmed the bill was in the works and he and other GOP lawmakers were in contact with ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

“We want to emphasize to him that going down this route of arrest warrants is a really bad idea and it will blow up the relationship,” McCall said. “We're not sure if arrest warrants will be imminent, but it's kind of a precaution to let them know that if they do, we have the law in place.” It will not be placed on the floor unless necessary.”

McCaul said the bill would complement a bill Sen. Tom Cotton introduced last February to sanction ICC officials involved in investigations of U.S. allies that are not ICC members, such as Israel.

Khan was sent a letter warning that the arrest warrants "will result in severe sanctions against you and your institution."

Last week, a bipartisan group of senators held a virtual meeting with ICC representatives. Khan said his office "is committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders whenever such dialogue is consistent with its mandate... to act independently and impartially."

“However, this independence and impartiality is undermined when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or court staff,” he said. “The Office insists that all attempts to obstruct, intimidate, or improperly influence its officials cease immediately.”

www.tg-me.com/us/Intel Slava Z/com.intelslava/59378

55.8K viewsMay 8 at 02:56

🇺🇲🇮🇱 Axios: Republicans draft ICC sanctions as 'precautionary measure' against arrest warrants for Israeli officials

As the article notes, pro-Israel members of Congress from both parties have previously warned repeatedly that the ICC risks U.S. repercussions if it moves ahead with the warrants.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul confirmed the bill was in the works and he and other GOP lawmakers were in contact with ICC prosecutor Karim Khan.

“We want to emphasize to him that going down this route of arrest warrants is a really bad idea and it will blow up the relationship,” McCall said. “We're not sure if arrest warrants will be imminent, but it's kind of a precaution to let them know that if they do, we have the law in place.” It will not be placed on the floor unless necessary.”

McCaul said the bill would complement a bill Sen. Tom Cotton introduced last February to sanction ICC officials involved in investigations of U.S. allies that are not ICC members, such as Israel.

Khan was sent a letter warning that the arrest warrants "will result in severe sanctions against you and your institution."

Last week, a bipartisan group of senators held a virtual meeting with ICC representatives. Khan said his office "is committed to constructive engagement with all stakeholders whenever such dialogue is consistent with its mandate... to act independently and impartially."

“However, this independence and impartiality is undermined when individuals threaten to retaliate against the court or court staff,” he said. “The Office insists that all attempts to obstruct, intimidate, or improperly influence its officials cease immediately.”

BY Intel Slava Z