Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in calling on your U.S. senators to oppose any bills that would impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court for pursuing war crimes charges against Israeli officials, including the original bill passed out of the House and any alternate bill.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“All Senators, especially Democratic senators who often tout the importance of respecting human rights and international law, must oppose the House bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court and any other bills designed to target the court for doing its job.
“Any senators who vote to sanction the International Criminal Court for rightfully filing charges against war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu would betray America’s stated values and flout international law. The Israeli government is desperate to escape accountability for their thoroughly documented war crimes, which is who anti-Palestinian lobby groups are putting intense pressure on Congress to pass a sanctions bill.
“We urge all Americans to call on their senators to reject H.R. 23 and any other legislation meant to subvert the pursuit of justice.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) held a rare emergency meeting on Friday to address internal divisions within the Democratic caucus regarding the ICC sanctions bill that passed the House, which was introduced by Rep. Brian Mast, an anti-Palestinian racist who has equated Palestinian civilians with Nazis.
The ICC sanctions bill has reportedly exposed disagreement within the Democratic caucus. Some Democratic senators, particularly those in conservative-leaning states, are reportedly considering voting for the GOP legislation to bolster their reelection prospects, despite the bill’s assault on international law.
SEE: ICC sanctions bill exposes weak spot for Senate Dems
We need your help to call on your senators today to vote ‘no’ on this bill.
BACKGROUND: On Thursday, January 9, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the misleadingly titled Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act (H.R. 23). The bill passed the House with a vote of 243 to 140. Introduced by Representatives Mast (R-FL) and Roy (R-TX), H.R. 23 would impose U.S. sanctions on any individual working to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute American citizens or officials from U.S.-allied countries, including Israel.
This legislation is a direct attempt to block the ICC’s warranted prosecution of Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for war crimes and alleged genocide in Gaza. Forty-two House Democrats support this incredulous legislation, despite it being an egregious assault on international justice and accountability.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com