John Thune

11/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/19/2024 17:42

Thune: The Senate Republican Majority Will Have Israel’s Back

Thune: The Senate Republican Majority Will Have Israel's Back

"I am calling on Leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed on a bipartisan basis."

November 19, 2024

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke at the Senate Republican leadership press conference about the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its prosecutor's unlawful pursuit of arrest warrants against Israeli officials. Thune noted that while Democrats are fractured over supporting Israel, Senate Republicans stand squarely with our greatest ally in the Middle East.

Thune's remarks:

"Well, it's been over 13 months now since Hamas terrorists waged war against Israel. And for the past year-plus, Democrats have struggled to support our ally Israel, and it has literally fractured the Democrat Party.

"For example, we are expecting, tomorrow, Sen. Sanders to offer a resolution denying lethal aid to Israel.

"The refusal to have our ally's back and the hesitation to call out antisemitism in our own country has consequences. It enables bad behavior and bad actors around the world and encourages others to abandon Israel in their time of need.

"Now, you have the International Criminal Court, or the ICC, and its prosecutor pursuing warrants against Israeli officials. That is outrageous, and it is unlawful. The ICC rogue actions are a threat to our ally Israel and, left unchecked, could pose a threat to America in the future.

"I am calling on Leader Schumer to bring a bill to the floor sanctioning the ICC, which the House has already passed on a bipartisan basis.

"If he refuses to act, our Senate Republican majority next year will. We will stand with Israel and make this - and other supportive legislation - a top priority in the next Congress.

"So to our allies in Israel, and to the Jewish people around the world, my message to you is this: Reinforcements are on the way.

"Senate Republicans reclaim the majority in six weeks. And when we do, we will make clear that the United States Congress stands squarely in Israel's corner, and we will help the Trump-Vance administration defend Israel and promote peace in the region."