U.S. Slaps Sanctions on International Criminal Court over Israel Probe
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigating the U.S. and its allies, specifically targeting Israeli officials. The order argues that the ICC’s actions set a dangerous precedent by exposing Americans to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest, thereby endangering them.
The order states that the ICC has asserted jurisdiction over U.S. personnel and certain allies, including Israel, without a legitimate basis. It further criticizes the court for issuing baseless arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. Trump’s executive order will enforce financial and visa-related sanctions on individuals and their immediate families who support ICC investigations into citizens of the U.S. or its allies.
The ICC has been bracing for a swift assault from the new U.S. administration, with potential measures affecting the court’s access to banking systems, IT infrastructure, insurance providers, and potentially paralyzing its work. Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impose similar sanctions on any ICC officials prosecuting U.S. allies.
The U.S. has a history of protecting its military personnel and officials from prosecution by international legal bodies it does not recognize. In 2002, it adopted the American Service-Members’ Protection Act, nicknamed “The Hague Invasion Act,” to achieve this purpose.