Trump ordered the property to be frozen and ordered travel bans on ICC officials, employees and their families.
President Donald Trump slapped sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and accused Israel and the United States of abusing them.
The US leader signed an executive order late Thursday, setting financial and visa restrictions on ICC staff and those who support ICC investigations against the US and its allies.
The order condemns the ICC “an illegal and unfounded action targeting the US and our allies, Israel,” the White House said.
The move coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US. In November, the ICC issued a warrant for Netanyahu, issued a warrant for Israeli Defense Minister and senior Hamas officials, and accusing them of war crimes in the war in Gaza.
Trump’s order said the Hague-based court “abused power” by issuing a warrant for Israelis.
The White House defined Israel as “a democratic nation in which the military strictly adheres to the laws of war.”
“The actions taken by the International Criminal Court against Israel and the United States have set a dangerous precedent,” he said, criticizing “malignant behavior that violates American sovereignty and threatens to undermine national security and foreign policy.” did.
The names of individuals subject to sanctions were not immediately announced, but the previous sanctions issued during Trump’s first term were prosecutors who conducted an ICC investigation into alleged war crimes by US military in Afghanistan. and targeted her aides.
The ICC said the order aims to “harm on independent and fair judicial activities,” and said it would “to millions of innocent victims around the world and millions of innocent victims.” We have committed to providing hope and continuing to provide hope.”
“We are calling on 125 political parties, civil society and all countries in the world to unite for justice and fundamental human rights,” he added.
The movement also sparked the expression of alarms from around the world.
Council of Europe President Antonio Costa said sanctions “undermine the entire international criminal justice system.”
ICC sanctions threaten court independence and undermine the entire international criminal justice system. https://t.co/zk0lsnb1p0
– Antonio Costa (@eucopresident) February 7, 2025
The Netherlands, the host country of the ICC, “remorrowed” the order and declared that the court’s work was “essential in the fight against immunity.” Amnesty International labeled the move “reckless.”
Sanctions were a show of support after Netanyahu visited the White House, during which Trump announced plans to “take over” Gaza and move Palestinians to other Middle Eastern countries.
United Nations and legal experts say the program is illegal under international law. Forcible displacement is also a crime under the ICC’s governance Roman law.
The 125 ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, attacks on the territory of a member state, or attacks by the public.
The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members.
Israel praised the sanctions ordered by the so-called “International Criminal Court.” Foreign Minister Gideon Saa said in X that the ICC’s actions were “immoral and have no legal basis.”
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