US Senate Democrats have blocked a Republican-led effort to sanction the International Criminal Court in protest of its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister over Israel’s campaign in Gaza, Reuters reports.

The chamber voted 54-45 in favor of the bill, meaning the measure could not get the 60 yes votes needed to advance to a vote on passage in the 100-member Senate.

Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote with Republicans to advance the measure. Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff did not vote.

The “Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act” would have imposed sanctions on any foreigner who investigates, arrests, detains or prosecutes US citizens or those of an allied country, including Israel, who are not members of the court.

It passed the House of Representatives earlier this month 243-140, as 45 Democrats joined majority Republicans in favour.

White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Trump would use an executive order to impose sanctions.