The International Criminal Court (ICC) has strongly criticized US sanctions against its staff. This comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a Hamas commander. The US claims the ICC is acting without legal authority.
However, the ICC insists it will continue its work despite pressure from the US. “We are committed to justice,” the court stated. “We will not stop helping victims of war crimes.”
The ICC, a global court handling cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, is supported by over 120 countries. Though the US and Israel are not members, the court still holds the authority to investigate leaders from any nation.
In response to the ICC’s actions, former US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on ICC officials. This includes freezing their bank accounts and barring them from entering the US. The US contends that the ICC’s actions harm US security and could pose a threat to American leaders.
The ICC has accused Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif of serious war crimes, though Israel denies the allegations.
Trump’s order claims the ICC is unfair by equating Israel with Hamas. The US sees this as wrong, and Israel’s Foreign Minister praised Trump’s decision, calling the ICC’s actions both illegal and immoral.
Despite US opposition, many world leaders support the ICC. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that the court must be free to bring war criminals to justice. The Netherlands, where the ICC is based, also condemned Trump’s decision.
In response, nine countries, including South Africa and Malaysia, formed the “Hague Group” to protect the ICC’s independence and defend against political attacks on its work.
This is not the first time the US has imposed sanctions on the ICC. In 2020, Trump imposed penalties on ICC officials investigating US war crimes in Afghanistan, including banning their travel and freezing their assets. President Joe Biden later reversed these sanctions.
The ICC has also issued warrants against top leaders in other countries. For instance, it charged Russian President Vladimir Putin with war crimes in Ukraine and accused Myanmar’s military leader of crimes against the Rohingya Muslims.
In the US, the House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC again, but the Senate blocked the bill. Experts suggest these new sanctions could further harm the court by freezing funds and restricting officials’ travel.
Despite these challenges, the ICC remains resolute. “We will not back down,” the court affirmed. “Victims of war crimes need our help.”
