Call your Rep. at 1-202-224-3121 now to demand they vote against a bill to shield Netanyahu from accountability under the International Criminal Court. Dear Khani - At this time of great uncertainty and challenge, the new Congress got off to an inauspicious start when it comes to the human rights violations in Gaza. A cruel and cynical plan to shield Netanyahu and other U.S. allies from accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) was buried in the 2025 House “rules package”. This is the very first and foundational bill the House takes up every new session.[1] This year’s House “rules package” created an expedited path for sanctions for the ICC if it investigates or takes action against Netanyahu. Now that the skids are greased, the actual ICC legislation will be voted on very soon. That’s right Khani. The U.S. is right now rewarding Israel with $8 billion in brand new weapons transfers[2], and meanwhile the House leadership has cued up a plan to sanction the International Criminal Court for attempting to stop the human rights violations. It’s upside down. We must stand up and say NO to this topsy-turvy assault on basic morality. The bill and its sanctions are designed to be sweeping and draconian. Anyone who “aids” the ICC in simply “investigating” someone like Netanyahu or the Israeli government – along with their family members – could also be sanctioned. Providing any “material support” to an ICC investigation would be sanctionable. This law could have a real chilling effect on peace and other organizations who are advocating for compliance with human rights rules. That’s intentional. The vote could come any day now so it’s best to make a call rather than email. Here's what you can do: 1) Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 2) Ask to be connected to your Representative's office. 3) Once connected, give them this message (in as much of your own words as possible): Hello, my name is ______________ and I am a constituent. I urge you to vote NO on Representative Chip Roy's H.R. 23, the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act" which is expected to be voted on this week. This bill is clearly designed to shield Bibi Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders from accountability for the horrific war crimes in Gaza. The U.S. should not be putting sanctions on the International Criminal Court for appropriately investigating alleged war crimes by Israeli – and Hamas – leaders. The House should not allow the U.S. to enable human rights violations by sending weaapons while voting protect the perpetrators. This would only harm the reputation of the United States further with the global community. As the Congressional session starts, unfortunately, we need to hit the ground running. Do take care of yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint, as they say. But as we watch the ongoing suffering – and Congress’s effort to shield the perpetrators of astounding violence from accountability – we must act. Please make the call if you can. Peace, Jon Rainwater
Executive Director
Peace Action [1] House GOP Tries to Protect Netanyahu From ICC With Rules Package, Jessica Corbett, Common Dreams, January 1, 2025 [2] State Dept. Tells Congress It Plans to Send $8 Billion in Arms to Israel, Edward Wong, New York Times, January 3, 2025 | 
