Washington imposes sanctions on four ICC judges, who protest

BEIRUT — On Thursday, Washington sanctioned four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), deeming their procedures against U.S. soldiers or the Israeli executive as "illegitimate" and "politicized," an initiative immediately condemned by the Hague-based institution.

The announced measures — banning entry to U.S. soil and freezing assets held in the United States — typically target criminals or political leaders of adversary countries, rather than judges. "We did not take this decision lightly. It reflects the serious threat posed by the politicization and abuse of ICC power," stated the U.S. Department of State. "These four individuals are actively involved in the ICC's illegitimate and unfounded actions targeting the United States and our close ally, Israel," the State Department added.

The targeted judges are Solomy Balungi Bossa and Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, who initiated ICC investigations into alleged war crimes by American soldiers in Afghanistan. Also, Reine Alapini Gansou and Beti Hohler, who authorized the ICC to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant.

The judges believed there were "reasonable grounds" to suspect the two men of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza war.

In February, the United States had already imposed sanctions against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who initiated this procedure against the Israeli executive. The prosecutor has since stepped back, as he is under investigation for "alleged misconduct."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted by thanking Donald Trump and his administration for this initiative early Friday. "Thank you to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio for imposing sanctions against the politicized ICC judges. You have rightly defended the right of Israel, the United States, and all democracies to defend themselves against brutal terrorism," the Israeli leader wrote on X.

"Impunity"

"These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution that operates under the mandate of 125 member states worldwide," the Court quickly responded in a statement. "The ICC fully supports its staff and will continue its work undeterred," the institution added. "Targeting those who work for justice does nothing to help civilians caught in conflicts. It only emboldens those who believe they can act with impunity," it continued.

According to Liz Evenson from the human rights defense organization Human Rights Watch, the U.S. sanctions "aim to deter the ICC from identifying those responsible for serious crimes committed in Israel and Palestine at a time when Israeli atrocities are increasing in Gaza, including with U.S. complicity." "Sanctions should be used to end human rights violations, not to punish those seeking to bring justice for the most serious crimes," she added in a statement sent to AFP.

Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the ICC, a permanent jurisdiction tasked with prosecuting and judging individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. They do not recognize its capacity to pursue their nationals.

During Trump's first term, the ICC, particularly its then-Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, was already a target of American sanctions — lifted by Joe Biden shortly after he took office in 2021.