US imposes sanctions on ICC judges over targeting of Israel and the US

Friday 06 June 2025 - 11:50

By: Dakir Madiha

US imposes sanctions on ICC judges over targeting of Israel and the US

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that his department will impose sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for what he describes as "illegitimate" targeting of Israel and the United States.

These sanctions are a direct response to the ICC's issuance of arrest warrants for high-ranking Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside its investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.

The four judges named in the sanctions are all women: Solomy Balungi Bossa from Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza from Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou from Benin, and Beti Hohler from Slovenia.

In response, the ICC issued a statement expressing its disapproval, stating it "deplores" the sanctions, which it views as "a clear attempt to undermine" the court's independence.

The sanctions mandate that all property and interests held by the judges within the US be blocked and reported to the Treasury Department.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude towards Rubio and US President Donald Trump for their intervention, asserting that they had "stood up for the right of Israel."

Rubio criticized the judges, claiming they have engaged in "illegitimate and baseless actions" against Israel and the US. He emphasized that these individuals have participated in actions that he believes unjustly target America and its close ally, Israel.

He further characterized the ICC as "politicized," accusing it of "falsely claiming unfettered discretion" to investigate nationals of the US and its allies.

"This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel," he stated.

In its rebuttal, the ICC affirmed its commitment to its personnel and vowed to continue its work "undeterred."

The court remarked, "Targeting those working for accountability does nothing to help civilians trapped in conflict. These sanctions are not only directed at designated individuals; they also target all those who support the court... They are aimed against innocent victims in all situations before the court."

The ICC is a global legal body empowered to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Last year, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel's former defense minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, though Hamas later confirmed his death in an airstrike last year.

The judges concluded there were "reasonable grounds" to believe that the three men bore "criminal responsibility" for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Both Israel and Hamas have dismissed these allegations.

In February, President Trump had previously imposed economic sanctions against the ICC, targeting its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and asserting that the court had "abused its power."

In Thursday's announcement, the US State Department highlighted that two of the judges, Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza, had authorized the ICC's investigation into US personnel in Afghanistan. The other two judges, Alapini Gansou and Hohler, had ruled to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.