By Sarah Baafi
In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), labeling its actions as “illegitimate and baseless” for targeting the United States and its ally Israel. The ICC recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes in Gaza, which Israel disputes.
The sanctions aim to restrict ICC officials from entering the U.S. and freeze their assets within American jurisdiction. This decision follows a visit by Netanyahu to the White House, where both leaders emphasized their opposition to ICC investigations. Trump’s administration argues that these actions set a dangerous precedent by potentially exposing U.S. personnel to international prosecution.
Trump has been vocal about his disdain for the ICC throughout his presidency, previously imposing sanctions during his first term against officials investigating alleged war crimes by U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The current order extends this stance, criticizing what it sees as moral equivalency between Hamas and Israel due to simultaneous warrants issued against both parties.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, condemned Trump’s move: “This reckless action sends the message that Israel is above the law… It suggests that President Trump endorses impunity.” She emphasized that such sanctions undermine global justice systems designed to hold perpetrators accountable for atrocities.
The international community is divided over these developments. While some view them as necessary measures to protect national interests, others see them as undermining efforts towards global accountability and justice. As stated in a White House fact sheet accompanying Trump’s order: “The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel… Both nations are thriving democracies with militaries strictly adhering to laws of war.
Source:BBC NEWS
