The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly criticized sanctions imposed by the United States, calling them an attack on its independence and judicial integrity.
Trump Administration’s Sanctions on ICC
On Thursday, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on ICC officials, accusing the court of unfairly targeting the United States and Israel. The sanctions:
- Freeze assets and restrict visas for ICC staff.
- Punish individuals or groups assisting the ICC’s investigations into the U.S. or its allies.
The White House justified its decision by claiming that the ICC had “abused its power” and that its actions against the U.S. and Israel “threaten American sovereignty and national security.”
ICC and Global Reactions
The ICC rejected the U.S. sanctions, vowing to continue its work in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity. In a statement, the court said:
“The ICC condemns the issuance of an executive order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work.”
International Condemnation
Global leaders, particularly from European Union (EU) nations, have denounced the U.S. move:
- European Council President Antonio Costa: Warned that the sanctions undermine international justice.
- The Netherlands (where the ICC is based): Expressed deep regret over the U.S. decision.
- Amnesty International: Called the sanctions reckless and politically motivated.
- United Nations experts: Deemed the sanctions illegal under international law.
Despite this, the U.S. maintains its stance that the ICC has no jurisdiction over American citizens or officials.
Ties to Israel and the Gaza Conflict
The U.S. sanctions coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, which analysts see as a strategic move in support of Israel.
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for:
- Benjamin Netanyahu (Israeli Prime Minister).
- Yoav Gallant (former Israeli Defense Minister).
- Mohammed Deif (Hamas military leader).
The ICC accuses them of crimes against humanity amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which has reportedly caused over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, many of them women and children.
ICC’s Global Authority and the U.S. Stance
The ICC is a global tribunal with the power to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It has previously pursued leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
While the U.S. and Israel are not ICC members, over 120 nations, including the UK and most of Europe, recognize and support the court’s authority.
The sanctions have sparked global debate about the role of international justice, political interference, and accountability for war crimes.
