Former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) after it issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu. The order freezes ICC officials’ assets and imposes travel bans. The move has drawn international criticism, with legal experts calling Trump’s response a violation of international law.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to its arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The sanctions target ICC officials, employees, and their associates, restricting their financial assets and travel.
Trump justified the move by accusing the ICC of overreach, arguing that its investigations into Israel and the United States were politically motivated and lacked legitimacy. Neither the U.S. nor Israel are ICC members, and both have long rejected the court’s authority over their affairs.
The Netherlands, where the ICC is based, expressed regret over the sanctions, emphasizing the court’s role in holding perpetrators of serious crimes accountable. The United Nations and international legal experts also criticized Trump’s action, stating that penalizing the ICC undermines global efforts to combat impunity.
The sanctions come after Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, during which Trump announced a controversial plan involving Gaza’s future. His proposal, which suggests relocating Palestinians to neighboring Middle Eastern countries, has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics warning that such forced displacement would violate international law.
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November against Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, citing allegations of war crimes. The court believes Netanyahu and Gallant bear responsibility for crimes including starvation tactics and other inhumane acts.
Trump’s decision echoes his previous actions against the ICC, including sanctions imposed during his first term in response to investigations into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. The move has further strained diplomatic relations and reignited debates over the ICC’s jurisdiction.
