The US Senate blocks bill to punish International Criminal Court
The US Senate blocked a bill to punish the International Criminal Court over two arrest warrants it issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on charges of committing war crimes in Gaza.
On Tuesday, the senators voted by a majority of 54 votes to 45 on the “Anti-Illegitimate Court Law,” which is less than the 60 votes required to pass the project in the 100-member council.
Earlier in January, the House of Representatives passed the bill by an overwhelming majority of 243 votes to 140, a sign of strong support for Israel.
The Anti-Illegitimate Court Act aims to impose sanctions on any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains, or prosecutes American citizens or citizens of any country allied with the United States, including Israel.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued two arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Galant, on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.
