The US has placed restrictions on four International Criminal Court officials, citing “illegitimate actions” targeting both the United States and its “close ally Israel.”
The United States has announced sanctions against four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), denouncing what it deems “illegitimate and baseless actions” aimed at the US and Israel.
While 123 countries recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, the US, Russia, China, and Israel are not signatories. The court relies on member states for suspect apprehension and transfer, lacking its own police force. The US administration previously sanctioned the ICC and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, in February for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that the new sanctions target judges Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, alleging their involvement in “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel.”
Rubio criticized the ICC as being “politicized” and falsely asserting unchecked authority to investigate, charge, and prosecute US nationals and allies, which he described as a “dangerous assertion and abuse of power.”
The statement indicates the sanctions, imposed under Executive Order 14203, will limit the judges’ access to the US financial system and complicate international financial dealings.
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, alleging they committed grave atrocities in Gaza, including using starvation as a method of warfare, following a deadly 2023 raid by Hamas.
Israel, not a party to the Rome Statute, claims the court lacks jurisdiction over its citizens. Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, previously accused the ICC of acting “as a political tool serving Israel’s enemies.”
Last month, Khan began a leave of absence amidst a UN investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.