Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant, Sparking Global Backlash
The U.S. sanctions the International Criminal Court, drawing praise from Israel’s Netanyahu and condemnation from the EU and global justice advocates.
Watan-The International Criminal Court (ICC) condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on the court. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump, while the European Council warned that the decision undermines the international justice system.
Trump Signs Executive Order Imposing Sanctions
On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order to impose sanctions on the ICC, declaring a national emergency to address the “threat posed by the court’s efforts.” He criticized the ICC for issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Trump claimed that the court was engaging in “illegal and baseless actions” targeting the United States and its close ally Israel, asserting that it had “falsely claimed jurisdiction” over U.S. nationals and some of its allies, including Israel.
ICC Vows to Stand Firm
In response, the ICC vowed to stand firmly with its staff, calling on member states, civil society, and the global community to unite in support of justice and fundamental human rights.
Netanyahu Praises Trump’s Decision
Netanyahu welcomed Trump’s move, stating, “Thank you, President Trump, for your bold executive order.” He claimed that the decision “defends America and Israel against the corrupt, anti-American, and anti-Semitic ICC” and “protects the sovereignty of both nations and their brave soldiers.”
He further asserted that the ICC “has no legal jurisdiction or basis to wage a legal war against us”, accusing the court of “launching a vicious campaign against Israel as a test case before moving against America.”
Rejection & Criticism
On the other hand, European Council President António Costa stated that imposing sanctions on the ICC threatens its independence and undermines the international justice system.
The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC headquarters in The Hague, expressed its regret over the sanctions. Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “the ICC’s work is essential in the fight against impunity.”
The new sanctions target individuals assisting ICC investigations involving U.S. nationals or allies such as Israel. These measures include freezing their U.S. assets and banning them and their families from entering the United States.
The ICC has taken precautionary steps to protect its employees from potential U.S. sanctions, including paying three months’ salaries in advance and preparing for financial restrictions that could hinder its operations.
In December 2023, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane warned that U.S. sanctions could “undermine the court’s operations in all cases and jeopardize its very existence.”
This is not the first time the U.S. has imposed sanctions on the ICC. In 2020, during Trump’s first term, Washington sanctioned then-ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and a senior aide over the court’s investigations into war crimes committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
