The US is imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its investigations into Israeli officials.
Following the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, President Trump has enacted an executive order imposing financial and visa restrictions on individuals and families supporting ICC investigations of US citizens or allies. This action follows a House vote to impose similar sanctions on officials prosecuting US “allies.”
The ICC anticipated retaliatory measures from the US administration, with reports suggesting the sanctions could severely hinder its operations by impacting its access to banking, IT, and insurance services, potentially crippling its functionality.
This action builds upon the 2002 American Service-Members’ Protection Act, which authorizes the president to use any necessary means to secure the release of US or allied personnel detained by the ICC. The US, not a party to the Rome Statute governing the ICC, has previously sanctioned ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for investigating alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.
The ICC accuses Netanyahu and Gallant of employing starvation as a method of warfare in Gaza, alleging the deliberate deprivation of essential supplies. The US contends the ICC lacks jurisdiction over Israel, as Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute. However, the US previously lauded ICC prosecutor Karim Khan for bringing charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin.