The U.S. House of Representatives passed a significant piece of legislation on Thursday, formally sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a bold response to the court's recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act received overwhelming bipartisan support, sailing through the House with a vote of 243 to 140, as 198 Republicans and 45 Democrats supported the measure.

Representative Brian Mast (R-Fla.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, characterized the ICC's actions as that of a "kangaroo court," emphasizing that it is unjust for the court to target Israeli leaders acting in defense of their nation. "America is passing this law because a kangaroo court is seeking to arrest the prime minister of our great ally, Israel," Mast stated clearly.

This legislation comes amid rising tensions regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the ICC accusing both Netanyahu and Gallant of committing war crimes related to their military responses to Hamas during the prolonged conflict that has now seen significant casualties on both sides, reportedly over 46,000 Palestinians dead since the October 2023 attacks.

The bill aims to impose strict penalties on any foreign individuals assisting the ICC in its investigations, including asset freezes and visa denials. This reflects a broader sentiment among many in Congress that the ICC lacks legitimacy, particularly as neither the United States nor Israel are signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the court.

In light of the ICC's actions, a coalition of House Democrats, led by Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) and Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), has urged the court to rescind the arrest warrants, contending that the ICC's focus on democratic leaders detracts from addressing genuine war criminals.

As the bill heads to the Senate, Republican leaders are optimistic about a swift passage under the newly appointed Republican majority. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed his commitment to bringing the bill to the floor, anticipating President-elect Donald Trump's signature once he assumes office on January 20.

This vote further signifies the Republican Party's strong alignment with Israel amid ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy and military aid, even as dissent within the Democratic Party grows regarding support for Israel’s operations in Gaza. Critics, including human rights advocates, warn that such sanctions could jeopardize the independence of the ICC and its vital role in global justice initiatives.

For further details on this developing situation, see the original articles from The Hill, CNN, Al Jazeera, India Times, and Reuters.