Trump imposes sanctions on ICC over Israel probe; international court says will harm ‘impartial judicial work’

The sanctions include banning ICC officials from entering the United States. Trump’s order criticises the court’s actions, claiming they set a “dangerous precedent” as reported by Associated Press (AP).

Responding to the sanctions, the ICC said that the order was an attempt to “harm its independent and impartial judicial work”.

Neither the US nor Israel are members of the ICC, and both countries do not recognise its authority.

Trump’s administration has long opposed the ICC’s investigations into US and allied nations, calling them unfair and politically motivated.

However, (ICC) has faced US retaliation for the second time due to its investigative work. In December, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane cautioned that sanctions would severely compromise the court’s operations and potentially threaten its existence.

In 2020, during the Trump administration, Washington imposed sanctions on then-Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and a top aide. The sanctions were a response to the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed by American troops in Afghanistan, according to a report by Reuters. 

The ICC, comprising 125 member states, is a permanent court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression against member states or their nationals. Notably, the United States, China, Russia, and Israel are not ICC members.

According to Reuters, the ICC has faced significant challenges due to US sanctions, which have delayed critical investigations and impacted the court’s operations.

(With inputs from Reuters and AP)