Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions on Thursday targeting four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move follows the court’s authorization of investigations into U.S. military actions in Afghanistan and the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The sanctions serve to freeze all U.S.-controlled assets of the four judges and were implemented under an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in February. This order condemned the ICC’s actions as “illegitimate and baseless,” particularly concerning its investigations into American military conduct and its implications for U.S. allies like Israel.
In response, the ICC expressed disapproval of the sanctions, calling them a “clear attempt to undermine the independence” of the court and its member states. Established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, the ICC’s mandate includes addressing issues such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Tensions escalated in 2020 when the ICC launched probes into alleged war crimes involving the Taliban and the respective U.S. and Afghan governments. Although the investigation has yet to lead to formal action against the U.S., it did result in the issuance of warrants for certain Taliban leaders. The recent warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are also seen as politically charged, facing backlash from both Trump and the Biden administration.
This situation underscores the complexities of international law and the intricate balance between holding individuals accountable for crimes while navigating national interests and diplomatic relations. The announcement of sanctions further highlights the ongoing friction between the U.S. and the ICC, which aims to maintain an impartial stance in its efforts to address global justice.