The United States has intensified its sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions targeting both French and Canadian judges involved in cases that challenge the actions of the Israeli government.
Rubio described the ICC as a “national security threat” and claimed it has been used for “lawfare” against the U.S. and its close ally Israel.
He condemned the court for pursuing investigations against U.S. and Israeli nationals without received consent from the respective countries, a stance he finds particularly alarming.
Among those sanctioned is Judge Nicolas Guillou from France, who is presiding over a case that has led to an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
France expressed its displeasure over the sanctions, with a foreign ministry spokesman declaring that the actions contradict the principles of an independent judiciary.
The ICC, in its response, characterized the U.S. sanctions as a “flagrant attack” on the independence of a judicial institution designed to remain impartial.
The ICC claims that Netanyahu holds responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity due to his actions during Israel’s offensive in Gaza, notably for allegedly targeting civilians and employing starvation as a weapon of war.
Netanyahu praised Rubio’s decision, calling it a “decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel” and its military.
This escalation of sanctions comes in the wake of a large-scale offensive conducted by Israel in response to a surprise attack from Hamas that resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
In addition to Guillou, Canadian judge Kimberly Prost was sanctioned for her role in authorizing an investigation into alleged crimes during the war in Afghanistan, which includes accusations against U.S. forces.
Rubio also slapped sanctions on two deputy prosecutors, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, holding them accountable for supporting the ICC’s actions against Israel, including the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant.
This marks a continuation of punitive measures by the U.S., as Rubio had previously imposed sanctions on four other ICC judges in June.
The Trump administration has consistently rejected the authority of the ICC, an institution established to provide justice when national systems fail.
The situation further highlights a dichotomy, as on Friday, President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska, despite Putin facing an ICC arrest warrant related to his actions in Ukraine.
Both the United States and Israel, along with Russia, have rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction.
While the administration of former President Joe Biden had opposed the ICC’s actions against Israel, it had lifted previous sanctions and suggested a willingness to collaborate with the ICC on a limited basis, particularly for gathering evidence concerning Ukraine.
As tensions continue between the U.S. and the ICC, the implications for international law and human rights accountability remain ambiguous and contentious.
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