U.S. Sanctions ICC Judges Over Investigations
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been sanctioned due to attempts to investigate, arrest, or prosecute U.S. or Israeli citizens without the consent of either nation.
The judges affected include Solomy Barungi Bossa from Uganda, Ruz del Carmen Ibañes Carranza from Peru, Rain Adelaide Sophie Arapini Gunsou from Benin, and Betty Holler from Slovenia. These judges were part of the ICC, established in 2002, which was intended to function similarly to legislative bodies like Parliament.
Rubio referred to the ICC as politicized, stating that it wrongfully claims authority to investigate and prosecute U.S. citizens and those from allied countries. He argued that these actions threaten the sovereignty and national security of both the U.S. and its allies, including Israel.
This round of sanctions aligns with a February Presidential Order by Donald Trump aimed at addressing violations by the ICC. Trump had previously described the ICC’s activities as illegal, claiming they improperly asserted jurisdiction over American officials and had issued unfounded arrest warrants, specifically targeting Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In November, the ICC issued two arrest warrants against Israelis, citing crimes against humanity and war crimes connected to a conflict that took place between October 2023 and May 2024.
Some Western officials, including the EU’s diplomatic chief and foreign ministers from Ireland and Norway, indicated they would act on the warrants issued by the ICC.
Trump criticized the ICC for creating dangerous precedents that encroach on the sovereignty of the U.S. and Israel, raising concerns about the effect on their national security and foreign policy.
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. would take necessary actions to safeguard its sovereignty, mentioning that the sanctions reflect a serious threat posed by the ICC’s politicization and misuse of power.
In response, the ICC condemned the sanctions, arguing that they are aimed at undermining international judicial independence and do little to assist civilians affected by conflict. The ICC stated that such measures could embolden those who believe they can operate with impunity.
Following these sanctions, the assets of the judges on U.S. soil would be frozen, and any entities owned by them would also come under restriction. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude towards both Trump and Rubio for their actions, highlighting their commitment to protecting democratic nations from threats.
Rubio’s call to other countries that support the ICC served as a reminder that many freedoms stem from American sacrifices and urged them to reconsider their stance against what he termed a dishonest attack on the U.S. and Israel.
