Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorizing aggressive economic sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the body of ‘illegitimate and baseless actions’ targeting the US and Israel.
The order grants the US president broad powers to impose asset freezes and travel bans on ICC staff and their family members if the US determines they are involved in efforts to investigate or prosecute US citizens and certain allies.
The hostile action against the ICC comes in response to the court’s decision in November to issue arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
In the order, Trump said the ICC had “abused its power” by issuing the warrants which he claimed had “set a dangerous precedent” that endangered US citizens and its military
“This malign conduct in turn threatens to infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States and undermines the critical national security and foreign policy work of the United States government and our allies, including Israel,” he added.
Neither the US nor Israel are member states of the ICC, a permanent court of last resort for the prosecution of individuals accused of atrocities. In his order, Trump argued the court must “respect the decision” of countries “not to subject their personnel to the ICC’s jurisdiction”.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, strongly applauded Trump’s move, posting: “Thank you, President Trump, for your bold ICC executive order. It will defend America and Israel from the anti-American and antisemetic corrupt court that has no jurisdiction or basis to engage in lawfare against us.”
Trump said the US “will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions” including by blocking property and assets and suspending entry into the US of ICC officials and their family members.