U.S. Imposes Sanctions on ICC Judges Over Israel Investigations
The Trump administration has announced sanctions against four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to the tribunal’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza and actions in the West Bank. The State Department’s decision to freeze any assets the judges possess in the U.S. reflects a broader strategy to penalize the ICC for its investigations involving the United States and its allies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the ICC’s actions, labeling them “illegitimate and baseless.” He emphasized that the ICC’s attempts to investigate and prosecute nationals from the U.S. and its allies threaten national sovereignty and security. This announcement comes after the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was placed on a special U.S. sanctions list earlier this year, coinciding with his temporary step aside pending an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations.
The ICC swiftly criticized the sanctions, asserting they undermine the independence of an international judicial institution. Among the targeted judges is Reine Alapini-Gansou from Benin, who played a role in issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu related to alleged war crimes. Other sanctioned judges include Beti Hohler from Slovenia, and appeals judges Bouth Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza from Peru, and Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda, all of whom have been involved in cases related to Israel. Neither the U.S. nor Israel recognizes the ICC’s authority, particularly following the court’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in light of his military actions in Gaza post-Hamas attacks.
Previous sanctions targeting the ICC were lifted by the Biden administration, but Rubio indicated that the U.S. would continue to defend its and Israel’s interests against perceived illegitimate actions by the court. Critics, including representatives from Human Rights Watch, argue that these sanctions hinder accountability for serious human rights violations rather than protect it.