The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR) condemns President Trump's decision to impose sanctions against the staff of International Criminal Court(ICC) and their family members just to shield Israel.
The CAIR is not happy with Trump's latest "lawless Israel First" policy which is aimed to punish everyone who is calling the prosecution of Israeli leaders which are accused of war crimes in Gaza.
CAIR said the president is expected to sign an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court,accusing the body of improperly targeting the United States and Israel.The order will include both financial sanctions and visa restrictions against unspecified ICC officials and their family members found to have assisted in ICC investigations of U.S. citizens or allies.
The leadership of CAIR has described the actions of the U.S. goverment under the Trump's administration as a desperate tactic to intimidate all people who still respect the rule of law.
"Bullying the International Criminal Court is a desperate tactic to intimidate those who uphold international law and seek accountability for Israeli war crimes in Gaza.It's a 'lawless Israeli first' policy that further damages the damages the reputation of the United States,which has already been harmed greatly by our nation's complicity with Israel's genocide in Gaza.Instead of kowtowing to Israel and doing the bidding of its genocidal government,the president should acts in the interests of our nation,"said Nihad Awad,CAIR National Executive Director.
Awad added that Americans want more oversight on those in power,not less.From his firing of independent U.S. inspector generals to this order,it is obvious that President Trump wants no oversight of his actions or those of the far-right Israeli government of indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu.American greatness relies on check and balances,never on one man's whims.
Last month,CAIR has expressed its disapproval of any bills that would target ICC for pursuing war crimes charges against Israeli officials and also urged U.S. senators to oppose that bill.
"All Senators,especially Democratic senators who often tout the importance of respecting human rights and international law,must oppose the House bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court and any other bills designed to target the court for doing its job.
"Any senators who vote to sanction the International Criminal Court for rightfully filing charges against war criminals like Benjamin Netanyahu would betray America's stated values and flout international law.The Israeli government is desperate to escape accountability for their thoroughly documented war crimes,which is who anti-Palestinian lobby groups are putting intense pressure on Congress to pass a sanctions bill.
"We urge all Americans to call on their senators to reject H.R. 23 and any other legislation meant to subvert the pursuit of justice,"said CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department,Robert S. McCaw on the 27 January 2025.
The ICC sanctions bill was introduced by the Republican representative Brian Mast,an anti-Palestinian racist which has equated Palestinian civilians with Nazis.