Washington: The United States has imposed targeted sanctions on two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating tensions between Washington and the Hague-based tribunal. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Thursday, citing the ICC’s investigations into alleged war crimes involving Israeli officials as the justification for the move.
The sanctions, which include travel bans and asset freezes, mark a continuation of U.S. efforts to counter what American officials describe as politically motivated actions by the ICC. Rubio emphasized that the measures respond to the court’s targeting of Israel, a key U.S. ally, and reflect Washington’s determination to protect the country and its leaders from legal proceedings by the tribunal.
The two judges named in the sanctions are reported to have been directly involved in court activities relating to alleged Israeli war crimes. While Israel and the United States are not parties to the ICC’s Rome Statute, the U.S. has consistently expressed concerns over the court’s attempts to investigate officials from non-member states, arguing that such actions undermine national sovereignty and international legal norms.
This latest sanction follows earlier measures taken by the U.S. against ICC personnel over similar issues, highlighting a growing rift between Washington and the court. The ICC, for its part, has maintained that its judicial mandate is independent and that it will continue to pursue investigations in accordance with international law, including ongoing cases concerning alleged crimes in Gaza.
International observers have warned that the sanctions could strain U.S.-European relations, as several European countries strongly support the ICC’s independence. Legal experts also note that the confrontation raises broader questions about the balance between state sovereignty and the enforcement of international justice mechanisms.
As tensions escalate, the dispute underscores the complex intersection of diplomacy, law, and geopolitics in the realm of international criminal accountability. While the U.S. insists on defending its allies, the ICC remains firm in pursuing investigations deemed legally warranted, signaling that the standoff is far from over.