Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its investigations involving Israel.
The court recently issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, which caused tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties.
Trump accused the ICC of "illegitimate and baseless actions" targeting Israel and abusing its power. The order authorizes property seizures and travel bans against ICC officials.
Human rights advocates condemned the move, warning it undermines accountability for global human rights violations. "Victims of abuses will find it harder to seek justice," said Charlie Hogle of the ACLU.
The US and Israel are not ICC members. Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the court as a "kangaroo court" and vowed retaliation against countries enforcing the arrest warrant.
The sanctions are expected to impact the ICC's operations, but European nations have urged member states to support the court despite US actions.
The court recently issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza following the October 2023 Hamas attacks, which caused tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties.
Trump accused the ICC of "illegitimate and baseless actions" targeting Israel and abusing its power. The order authorizes property seizures and travel bans against ICC officials.
Human rights advocates condemned the move, warning it undermines accountability for global human rights violations. "Victims of abuses will find it harder to seek justice," said Charlie Hogle of the ACLU.
The US and Israel are not ICC members. Senator Lindsey Graham criticized the court as a "kangaroo court" and vowed retaliation against countries enforcing the arrest warrant.
The sanctions are expected to impact the ICC's operations, but European nations have urged member states to support the court despite US actions.