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Trump to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court

The move, with sanctions on people who help in ICC investigations of US citizens or allies, has been condemned by the court and many nations

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The International Criminal Court building in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for targeting the United States and its allies, such as Israel, a White House official said.

Thursday’s order places financial and visa sanctions on individuals and their family members who help in ICC investigations of US citizens or US allies, said the official.
The move by Trump comes after US Senate Democrats last week blocked a Republican-led effort to sanction the ICC in protest at its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister over Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Thursday. The International Criminal Court has arrest warrants on him over his nation’s military campaign in Gaza. Photo: Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Thursday. The International Criminal Court has arrest warrants on him over his nation’s military campaign in Gaza. Photo: Reuters

The court on Friday condemned Trump’s sanctions – which were announced while Netanyahu was in Washington – and called on its 125 member states to support its staff.

“The court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all situations before it,” the ICC said in a statement.

EU leaders also criticised Trump’s move. “Europe will always stand for justice and the respect of international law,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on X.

“The ICC guarantees accountability for international crimes and gives a voice to victims worldwide. It must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity.”

Dozens of countries expressed their “unwavering support” for the court. “We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality and integrity of the ICC,” a group of almost 80 nations said in a joint statement.

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