Congresswoman Brown Signs Letter to ICC Opposing Israeli Arrest Warrants

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) signed a letter led by Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) to the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court expressing opposition to the arrest warrants issued against Israeli leadership. 

“I remain deeply opposed to the ICC’s shameful and flawed decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. “The ICC’s double standard and biased actions towards Israel set a dangerous precedent by criminalizing a democratic nation’s right to self-defense and diverting attention from prosecuting genuine war criminals. I join my colleagues in urging the ICC to reconsider these warrants and uphold the integrity of its mandate.”

The letter reads as follows: 

January 9, 2025

 

Päivi Kaukoranta
Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court
President
Oude Waalsdorperweg 10
2597 AK, The Hague
The Netherlands

Dear President Kaukoranta,

We are deeply concerned about the ICC’s recent decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. This action severely undermines the principles of justice and threatens to politicize the Court’s critical mission to prosecute the world’s most egregious crimes.

The Rome Statute’s principle of complementarity is clear: the ICC should act only when national jurisdictions are unwilling or unable to prosecute. Israel is a democracy governed by the rule of law, with an independent judiciary capable of addressing allegations of misconduct. Issuing arrest warrants against leaders of a democratic nation defending itself against Hamas—a terrorist organization responsible for heinous war crimes—sets a dangerous precedent that emboldens bad actors and delegitimizes the Court.

The ICC’s decision risks eroding trust in the international justice system. At a time when the Court’s efforts to hold Russia accountable for atrocities in Ukraine require global consensus, this decision diverts attention and resources from prosecuting genuine war criminals. It also sends a chilling message to democracies combating terrorism, potentially endangering broader international cooperation.

We strongly urge the ICC to reconsider these arrest warrants, refocus its efforts on clear cases of atrocity crimes, and uphold the integrity of its mandate.

Sincerely,

[signatures]