US President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly targeting Israel and the United States. In a recent executive order, Trump criticized the court as “illegitimate” and imposed financial and US visa restrictions on ICC staff and those involved in investigations against the US and its allies. Trump dismissed arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant as “baseless”. However, experts have condemned the sanctions as an attack on the rule of law. The executive order accuses the ICC of overstepping its authority by issuing warrants against Israeli officials and taking actions against the US and Israel. The order authorizes sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials and their associates. The US and Israel are not signatories to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC in 2002. Previous US President Joe Biden also criticized the ICC’s arrest warrants for Israeli officials. The sanctions imposed by Trump could impede ICC investigations into Israeli war crimes by restricting the movement and finances of ICC officials. Despite the sanctions, the ICC has vowed to continue its work. International reactions to the executive order have been critical, with European Council President Antonio Costa warning that it undermines the international criminal justice system. Amnesty International labeled the move as “reckless”. Israel’s leaders, on the other hand, have expressed support for Trump’s actions, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanking him for defending America and Israel against the ICC.
