International US President Trump orders sanctions against ICC
US President Donald Trump has ordered sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
07.02.2025, 00:59
SDA
The court had "abused its power" by issuing unfounded arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defense Minister Joav Galant, according to Trump's order. The Republican accuses the court of "malicious conduct". Trump and Netanyahu met at the White House on Tuesday. Like Israel, the USA does not recognize the ICC.
International arrest warrants were issued against Netanyahu and Israel's then defense minister Galant last year for alleged war crimes in the Gaza war. Trump's predecessor Joe Biden and several members of parliament from both parties had also sharply criticized the actions of chief prosecutor Karim Khan against Israel.
Trump also accuses the court of claiming jurisdiction "without a legitimate basis" and initiating preliminary investigations against US personnel.
Financial penalties and entry bans
However, a bill to sanction the court failed in Congress at the end of January. Several Democratic senators blocked the bill because they feared disadvantages for US companies and demanded corresponding exemptions.
Among other things, Trump has now ordered sanctions against court employees and supporters who are involved in investigations, indictments or arrest warrants against US personnel or allies such as Israel. According to Trump's order, assets are to be frozen and US individuals and companies are to be banned from financial and business transactions with them. The Treasury Department may grant exemptions to companies or organizations under certain conditions. Persons affected by the sanctions are banned from entering the USA.
This is not the first time that Trump has sanctioned the ICC. During his first term in office, he signed an order to this effect because the court had investigated alleged war crimes committed by US soldiers in Afghanistan. In September 2020, sanctions were subsequently imposed against the then chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, among others. Biden reversed these shortly after taking office in April 2021.
