ICC: US sanctions 'flagrant attack' on global justice

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has condemned the United States' recent sanctions on two of its judges.

"These sanctions are a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution which operates pursuant to the mandate conferred by its States Parties from across regions," the ICC said in a statement.

In its statement, the ICC warned that threatening judges for upholding the law jeopardizes the entire international legal framework.

It emphasized that such measures undermine the rule of law and reaffirmed its support for its personnel and the victims of atrocities.

The sanctions were announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused the judges of being "directly engaged" in what he termed the "illegitimate targeting of Israel."

He claimed they participated in efforts to investigate Israeli nationals without Israel's consent.

“These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel's consent, including voting with the majority in favour of the ICC’s ruling against Israel’s appeal on December 15,” Rubio said in the statement.

The Netherlands, host of the ICC, also condemned the sanctions, asserting that international courts must operate free from interference.

The ICC, which has 125 member states, faced restrictions in February, with the White House citing the need to respond to "illegitimate actions" targeting the US and Israel.

These sanctions, enacted through an executive order by Trump, restrict access to essential services and bar entry into the US. They were prompted by the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war minister Yoav Gallant, for “crimes against humanity and war crimes” committed during the genocidal war on Gaza.

Reports suggest these sanctions are part of broader efforts to pressure the court regarding the arrest warrants. Notably, ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan has faced threats regarding the consequences of issuing such warrants, including warnings from officials connected to Israeli leadership.

Since October 2023, the Zionist regime’s military has reportedly killed approximately 70,667 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injured 171,000 others during the ongoing war in Gaza.

Experts assert that the Zionist regime, with the support of the US and Western nations, has committed acts of genocide against Palestinians in the besieged territory.