International Criminal Court Condemns US Executive Order

"We Will Continue Our Work for Justice"

The International Criminal Court (ICC) condemned the sanctions executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.

On the 7th (local time), the ICC released a statement saying, "We condemn the United States for imposing sanctions on our staff and issuing an executive order aimed at undermining independent and impartial judicial work," and added, "We will continue to carry out our work for justice."

It further stated, "The Court remains committed to providing justice and hope to millions of victims of atrocities worldwide."

The ICC also emphasized, "We call on the 125 State Parties, civil society, and all countries around the world to unite for justice and fundamental human rights."

Earlier, President Trump signed an executive order sanctioning the ICC. The order includes asset freezes and travel bans on ICC staff and their families, as well as individuals deemed to have assisted ICC investigations.

President Trump decided on the sanctions in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants against Israeli government leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of war crimes in the Gaza Strip conflict.

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants last May for two Israeli officials, Prime Minister Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as senior members of the Palestinian armed group Hamas. The ICC issued the warrants in November of the same year.

The ICC is an international tribunal that can prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. Neither the United States nor Israel is a member state of the ICC.