ICC sanctioned by Trump who labelled it “illegitimate”
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC). He accused the court of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.” The order would impose financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who aid the ICC in investigation of US citizens or allies.
The measure was signed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was on a visit to Washington. The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israel denies these. A warrant has also been issued for a Hamas commander.
The court’s judges said that there had been “reasonable grounds” that Netanyahu, his former defence minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif of Hamas all had “criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Deif’s death in an Israeli airstrike in 2024 has been confirmed by Hamas.
The ICC is an international court that has the power to bring about prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. It has recently issued warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, Taliban leaders for their persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan, and the military leaders of Myanmar over crimes against the Rohingya Muslim population.
Neither Israel nor the US are members but over 120 countries, including the UK and several European nations, are. The Netherlands, the court’s host country, expressed its “regret” over the order. “The court’s work is essential in the fight against impunity,” Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp said on X.
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