Hamas: Trump’s ICC sanctions are grave assault on justice

In a statement issued Friday, Hamas said Netanyahu’s praise for the decision exposes his fear of accountability and his efforts to evade appearing before the court and facing the consequences of crimes committed in Gaza.

The Movement stressed that targeting the ICC for fulfilling its responsibility to prosecute perpetrators of the most serious international crimes would not deter the court from carrying out its duties.

Accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity is a collective obligation enshrined in the Rome Statute, Hamas said, emphasizing that justice must never be subjected to political pressure or bargaining.

Hamas called on countries worldwide, particularly states party to the Rome Statute, to reject the sanctions and fulfill their obligations by supporting the ICC and taking practical measures to protect its judges and staff and ensure that its work continues.

The Movement stressed that defending justice requires action beyond condemnation and concrete steps to prevent perpetrators of war crimes from escaping punishment.

US imposes sweeping sanctions on the ICC

On Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on the ICC, pledging to paralyze its operations just hours after the Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to former ICC judge Navi Pillay.

Earlier Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Washington would prohibit transactions with what he described as a “rogue court,” escalating the Trump administration’s campaign against the international judicial body.

The US administration had previously sanctioned ICC prosecutors and judges, but Friday’s measures went considerably further, potentially extending restrictions to companies providing services to the court itself.

In a statement, Rubio said the sanctions were intended to defend American sovereignty and protect US citizens. He added that the measures had been designed to give the court and states party to the Rome Statute an opportunity to address Washington’s concerns.

Rubio warned that additional measures would follow if the ICC failed to respond.

“Either the ICC ends its threats, or we will end its existence,” he said, urging US allies that are members of the court to restrain its actions.

The sanctions are part of the Trump administration’s broader campaign against the ICC, particularly following the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over war crimes committed in Gaza, as well as the court’s earlier investigation into the conduct of US military personnel in Afghanistan.

Washington had previously imposed sanctions on ICC prosecutors and judges, but the latest measures expand the restrictions to the court as an institution and could also affect companies providing banking, insurance and technology services.

The US Treasury Department issued four general licenses exempting certain transactions involving communications, software, court employees’ pensions and individuals detained by the ICC.

ICC: An assault on the rule of law

The ICC strongly condemned the sanctions, describing them as an attack on the rule of law and the fundamental foundations of the international legal system.

The court said the measures were intended to intimidate its personnel and obstruct its operations.

ICC President Tomoko Akane affirmed that the institution would continue fulfilling its mandate with complete independence and impartiality, guided by the law and evidence and acting on behalf of victims of serious international crimes.

The court called on its 125 member states to stand by the institution and protect it against external pressure, emphasizing that no individual should be above the law.

Zionist regime welcomes sanctions as Europe condemns US decision

Zionist regime’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC under an arrest warrant, welcomed the US decision.

Netanyahu described the court as a “political body that poses an existential threat to democracies,” praising Trump and Rubio for what he called their decisive action.

The European Union, meanwhile, described the sanctions as “deeply regrettable” and reaffirmed its readiness to take the necessary measures to enable the ICC to continue operating effectively.

The EU also expressed hope that the period before the sanctions take effect could be used to pursue dialogue.

Norway voiced serious concern over the decision, saying it was consulting with other countries on ways to support and protect the court.

Belgium also condemned the sanctions and called for activating the European Union’s Blocking Statute to shield the ICC from their consequences.

The US announcement came just hours after former South African judge Navi Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work in international justice.