US administration distances itself from Tel Aviv

The US House of Representatives passed legislation on Tuesday to sanction the International Criminal Court for it requesting arrest warrants last month for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials.

The 247-155 vote managed to attract only modest support from the Democrats, which observers say lessens its chances of passing the Senate. The White House opposes the legislation, calling it overreach. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller also made clear the administration's opposition to the bill.

"We don't think it is appropriate," he said, especially while there are ongoing investigations inside Israel looking at the very same questions.