US President strikes back: Sanctions hit International Criminal Court
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). He accused the court of unfairly targeting the United States and Israel. The order restricts visas and freezes assets of individuals assisting ICC investigations against American citizens or U.S. allies.
Trump signed the order while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington. The move follows the ICC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The court also issued a warrant for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas commander.
The ICC accused Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. It also charged Hamas leaders for attacks on Israeli civilians. The US, a non-member of the ICC, condemned the decision. Washington argued the court wrongly equated Israel’s government with Hamas, a designated terrorist group.
Bipartisan opposition to the ICC’s actions emerged in the US. Former President Joe Biden criticized the court’s decision. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress supported sanctions against the ICC. The House of Representatives passed a bill last month to penalize the court, but the Senate blocked it.
This is not the first US action against the ICC. In 2020, Trump sanctioned ICC officials when they investigated alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan. President Biden later lifted those sanctions.
What is the ICC?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Established in 2002 and based in The Hague, the court emerged after atrocities in Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It aims to ensure accountability for serious international crimes.
The ICC has 124 member countries. However, major powers like the US, Israel, China, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkey have refused to join. Some, including Israel and Russia, initially signed the treaty but later withdrew.
How Powerful is the ICC?
The ICC lacks enforcement power. It relies on member states to arrest suspects under its jurisdiction. If an indicted individual enters a member country, authorities can detain and extradite them to The Hague. However, non-members like the US and Israel are not obligated to cooperate.
Who Else Has the ICC Targeted?
The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The court accused him of war crimes, including the deportation of Ukrainian children. Other leaders targeted include Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir, charged with genocide, and Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, accused of crimes against humanity.
Why Can’t the ICC Enforce Its Orders?
Despite its mission, the ICC struggles to execute its rulings. Without its own police force, it depends on countries to carry out arrests. Major nations, including the US, China, and Russia, reject its authority. Even member states sometimes ignore ICC orders due to political considerations.
While the ICC holds symbolic power, its influence remains limited against opposition from global powers.
