ICC Condemns US Sanctions, Says It’s An Attempt To Harm ‘Impartial Judicial Work’   

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its judicial work after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on its staff.

The move comes after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Deif. 

In response, the ICC condemned Trump’s order, describing it as an attempt to undermine its independent and impartial judicial work. “The ICC condemns the issuance by the US of an executive order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work,” the court said in a statement. “The Court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all situations before it.” 

The ICC is a global court with jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, though the US and Israel are not members. Despite this, the court has issued high-profile warrants, including one for Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes in Ukraine and others against Taliban leaders and Myanmar’s military rulers. 

Trump’s executive order places financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations concerning American citizens or allies. The move comes as Netanyahu visits Washington, highlighting US-Israel cooperation. A White House memo accused the ICC of creating a “shameful moral equivalency” between Hamas and Israel by issuing the warrants simultaneously. 

The court had found “reasonable grounds” to believe that Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas’ Mohammed Deif bore “criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Deif was later killed in an Israeli airstrike, confirmed by Hamas. 

Trump’s order was met with international criticism. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the ICC “must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity.” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp also expressed regret over the sanctions, stating that the court’s work is “essential in the fight against impunity.” 

Trump’s executive order argues that the ICC’s actions set a “dangerous precedent” by exposing US personnel and allies to “harassment, abuse, and possible arrest.” The order further claims that the court’s actions “threaten to infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States and undermine the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States government and our allies, including Israel.” 

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar welcomed Trump’s order, calling the ICC’s actions “immoral and without legal basis,” further accusing the court of not operating “in accordance with international law.” 

The US has long rejected ICC jurisdiction over its citizens and allies, previously sanctioning the court in 2020 when it investigated potential US war crimes in Afghanistan. Trump’s first-term measures included travel bans and asset freezes against ICC officials, including former chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. These sanctions were lifted under President Joe Biden’s administration. 

Last month, the US House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC, though the bill stalled in the Senate. In response to increasing opposition against the court, nine nations—including South Africa and Malaysia—launched the ‘Hague Group’ to defend the ICC’s authority. 

The ICC prosecutor’s case against Netanyahu and Gallant alleges they bear responsibility as co-perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare and directing attacks against civilians. 

Trump’s executive order follows his controversial proposal for the US to “take over” Gaza, resettle Palestinians, and turn the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The proposal was widely condemned by Arab leaders and the UN, though Trump later reaffirmed it on his Truth Social platform. 

This latest escalation between the US and the ICC highlights the ongoing tension between international justice mechanisms and powerful states, with the court insisting it will continue its mandate despite mounting political pressure.

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