The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of H.R. 23, the misleadingly titled “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.” 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.
CLICK HERE: TAKE ACTION: URGE YOUR SENATORS TO VOTE NO ON H.R. 23
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.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“Members of Congress threatening to sanction the International Criminal Court for rightfully charging Israeli officials with war crimes in Gaza are betraying America’s core commitment to justice and violating their oath to faithfully uphold our own nation’s laws.
“It seems the far-right Israeli government’s supporters in Congress are increasingly desperate to stop the inevitable from happening: war criminals like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders being held accountable for their abhorrent genocidal crimes against Palestinians.
“CAIR urges all Americans to call on their Senators to reject H.R. 23 and any other legislation meant to subvert the pursuit of justice by the ICC.”
WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE ACTION:
- Protect Accountability: H.R. 23 undermines international efforts to hold government officials accountable for war crimes.
- Defend Rule of Law: By threatening sanctions against ICC prosecutors and staff, members of Congress are attempting to violate the very principles of justice that America claims to uphold.
- Stand with Justice for Palestinians: This bill is designed to obstruct legitimate investigations into the ongoing atrocities in Gaza, denying victims their day in court.
SAMPLE MESSAGE BEING SENT TO YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS:
Subject: Vote NO on H.R. 23, Support ICC Investigations into Israeli War Crimes
“Dear Senator [Name],
“I stand with the Council on American-Islamic Relations in urging you to VOTE NO on the so-called ‘Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act’ (H.R. 23). This dangerous bill would impose sanctions on International Criminal Court prosecutors, judges, and investigators for doing their jobs—investigating the recent genocidal war crimes committed by Israel that have murdered over 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
“Attempting to sanction the ICC for lawfully investigating credible allegations of war crimes violates both international law and America’s own long standing principles of justice. The ICC should be allowed to hold individuals accountable, regardless of their nationality. I respectfully ask you to protect the pursuit of justice and vote NO on H.R. 23.”
CAIR applauded Ireland for joining South Africa’s case against Israel’s genocide in Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In November, CAIR said that the ICC should disregard “illegal and unacceptable” threats by now Republican Senate majority leader Sen. John Thune and other GOP officials looking to sanction the court.
Last year, CAIR welcomed a detailed submission by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) outlining evidence of Israel’s violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention in its war on Gaza.
Also last year, CAIR applauded the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza genocide.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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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