Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a bill to sanction International Criminal Court officials for issuing arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials.

The Democrats said they worried the sanctions would have unintended consequences.

The Senate’s test vote on the House-passed bill failed, 54-45, short of the 60 votes needed to survive.

Only one Democrat, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, joined all Republicans in support.

“I support Israel,” Mr. Fetterman said. “I hope my colleagues agree, but I’m actually going to follow Israel on that. And if somebody doesn’t, well, I mean, that’s really their choice.”

Democrats who opposed consideration of the bill said it was not about lack of support for Israel but fears that the language authorizing sanctions was so overly broad it could sweep up other allies and even U.S. businesses in the enforcement actions.

“They’re sanctioning American businesses for work that has already been done and they’re sanctioning our allies,” Senate Foreign Relations ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, New Hampshire Democrat, said.

Ms. Shaheen said she had been negotiating with Republicans on potential changes to the bill to address those concerns but that Democrats would oppose moving forward with it absent an agreement.

• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.