Trump Imposes Sanctions on International Criminal Court
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, slapping sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for "baseless" investigations targeting America and its close ally Israel, the White House said.
Trump’s Order
The order stated that the ICC had "abused its power" by issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held talks with the US president on Tuesday. The order also accused the tribunal of engaging in "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel," referring to ICC probes into alleged war crimes by US service members in Afghanistan and Israeli troops in Gaza.
Sanctions
The US president ordered asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials, employees, and their family members, as well as anyone deemed to have helped the court’s investigations. The sanctions are a show of support after Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, during which Trump unveiled a plan for the US to "take over" Gaza and move Palestinians to other Middle Eastern countries.
US and Israel Not Members of ICC
Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the ICC.
IC Issued Arrest Warrants
The ICC issued arrest warrants on November 21 for Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas’ military chief Mohammed Deif — whom Israel says is dead. The warrants, approved after an application by ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in May, are for "crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024."
Trump’s First Term
During his first term, Trump imposed financial sanctions and a visa ban on the ICC’s then-prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and other senior officials and staff in 2020. Describing it as a "kangaroo court," his then-administration made the move after Gambian-born Bensouda launched an investigation into allegations of war crimes against US soldiers in Afghanistan. While his order at the time did not name Israel, Trump administration officials said they were also angered by Bensouda’s opening of a probe into the situation in the Palestinian territories in 2019.
Biden’s Response
President Joe Biden lifted the sanctions soon after taking office in 2021. Prosecutor Khan later effectively dropped the United States from the Afghan investigation and focused on the Taliban instead. Biden strongly condemned the "outrageous" warrant against Netanyahu in November.
US House and Senate
The US House passed a bill last month to sanction the ICC, but Senate Democrats blocked it last week, saying the bill could backfire on US allies and firms. But Democrats have also expressed anger at the sanctions on Netanyahu.
Conclusion
The ongoing tensions between the US and the ICC highlight the complexities of international law and the challenges of balancing national interests with global responsibilities. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the two sides will navigate their differences and find a way forward.
FAQs
Q: Why did Trump impose sanctions on the ICC?
A: The US president accused the ICC of "abusing its power" and issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as engaging in "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."
Q: Why are the US and Israel not members of the ICC?
A: The United States and Israel have not ratified the Rome Statute, which established the ICC in 2002.
Q: What is the purpose of the ICC?
A: The ICC is an international tribunal that investigates and prosecutes individuals for crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
Q: What is the current status of the US-ICC relationship?
A: The US has imposed sanctions on the ICC, and the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials. The relationship between the two sides remains tense and uncertain.