In an unprecedented and blatant disregard for human life, the United States has moved to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the issuance of arrest warrants against a group of Israeli officials led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
These warrants pertain to allegations of genocide in Gaza. In a show of support for Israel’s actions, the US House of Representatives passed the ICC Sanctions Bill on June 4, 2024, with a vote of 247 to 155, effectively endorsing the ongoing violence against Palestinians.
The Bill now awaits deliberation in the Senate. If passed, it would impose sanctions on individuals “engaged in any effort to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute any protected person of the United States and its allies.”
The sanctions include prohibitive property sanctions and visa revocations.
The passage of the ICC Sanctions Bill, with bipartisan support from both Republicans and Democrats, marks a blatant act of obstruction of international justice for which the ICC was established in 2002. The ICC cannot be expected to independently function to deliver much-vaunted international justice with the Sword of Damocles hanging precariously over its head.
American unilateralism and exceptionalism have gone too far unchecked. This legislation undermines the core principles of international law and justice, effectively shielding perpetrators of atrocities from accountability. It is a despicable move for the US to use its international standing as one of the world’s superpowers to protect those accused of committing genocide in Gaza. The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of countless civilians, including children, women, the disabled, and the elderly.
It is high time the world responded in kind, especially other superpowers such as China and Russia, to stop the Americans in their tracks. It is refreshing to see that other European powers such as France and Germany have railed against Israel by moving to recognize the Palestinian State and condemning the Israeli actions in Gaza.
These countries have shown a commitment to upholding international law and human rights, standing in stark contrast to the US’s position.
Zimbabwe, too, recognizes the Palestinian State and has been donating in kind to help address the humanitarian crisis inflicted on the Palestinian people by Israel, with tacit approval and support from the US. The global community must come together to support the ICC and ensure that justice is served, regardless of political alliances and power dynamics.
The passage of the ICC Sanctions Bill by the US House of Representatives is a dark day for international justice. It signals a willingness to undermine global efforts to hold perpetrators of heinous crimes accountable.
As the Bill moves to the Senate, the world watches closely, hoping for a reversal of this dangerous course and a reaffirmation of the principles of justice and accountability that the ICC represents.
