US Imposes Sanctions on ICC Judges

The United States has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the court's move to issue an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza conflict.

The ICC has condemned the sanctions as a blatant attempt to undermine its judicial independence.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US would take all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty and that of its allies, including Israel. In a press release, Rubio said the sanctions are a response to the ICC’s actions, which Washington deems illegitimate and politically motivated.

The sanctions follow the ICC’s decision to pursue legal proceedings connected to the ongoing war in Gaza. The court had recently issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, sparking sharp criticism from both the US and Israel.

In response, the ICC released a statement strongly condemning the move, asserting that the punitive measures were clearly designed to interfere with its operations.

The statement read that these actions represent a clear attempt to undermine the independence of a judicial institution that operates under the mandate of 125 State Parties from around the world.