US President Donald Trump has slapped sanctions on the International Criminal Court, just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a visit to Washington. The sanctions are a response to the court's investigation into possible war crimes linked to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his aides, which didn't sit well with Trump.
Trump’s executive order freezes the US-based assets of the ICC and bans its officials from entering the country. This is a big deal because the US and Israel are not even members of the ICC. Yet, Trump made it clear that he doesn’t recognize the court’s authority over either nation. According to him, the ICC’s decision to target Israel sets a “dangerous precedent” and is based on what he called “illegitimate” claims.
The order signals serious consequences for those involved with the ICC’s investigation. It says that any ICC employee or their families will be blocked from entering the US, and their assets could be frozen. For the court, this is a huge deal, especially since it already suffered a major cyberattack last year that left its investigators in the dark for weeks. These sanctions could make it harder for the ICC to function as its support from Washington erodes after Joe Biden's White House exit.
While the US and Israel are taking this stand, the response from some European countries has been less enthusiastic. Netherlands is pushing for other ICC members to find ways to protect the court from the sanctions, insisting that it still needs to carry out its investigations despite the pressure.
So, what’s behind Trump’s bold move? It’s clear: the sanctions seem to be payback for the ICC’s attempt to hold Israeli officials accountable for their actions in Gaza. With the US and Israel standing together against the ICC, Trump is sending a message just days into his presidency.
