U.S. President Donald Trump has reimposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials investigating U.S. citizens and Israeli leaders. The move follows ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense chief, alongside three Hamas leaders.
Trump’s executive order, signed Thursday, restores measures from his first term, aiming to block ICC investigations into U.S. and Israeli officials. The move comes as Netanyahu visits Washington, reinforcing Trump’s longstanding opposition to the court.
The ICC, founded in 2002, prosecutes war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, but enforcement depends on its 124 member states under the Rome Statute. The U.S., Israel, Russia, and China never ratified the treaty and are not required to comply with its rulings.
Under international law, ICC member states must arrest indicted individuals if they enter their territory, though enforcement is inconsistent. Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir, accused of genocide in Darfur, traveled freely for years. Russian President Vladimir Putin also faces an ICC warrant over the war in Ukraine, but remains free.
Trump’s administration has long argued the ICC is politically biased, claiming it unfairly targets the U.S. and Israel while failing to investigate other global actors. In 2020, Trump first imposed sanctions on ICC officials, insisting the court had no authority over non-member states.
The ICC prosecutor’s office, led by Karim Khan, recently issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Israel’s defense minister, and three Hamas leaders, accusing both sides of war crimes in Gaza. Israel and Hamas have dismissed the charges, rejecting the ICC’s authority.
Trump’s sanctions specifically target ICC officials pursuing cases against U.S. personnel and allies, not Hamas leaders. The move is consistent with his administration’s previous stance, viewing ICC investigations into Israel and American forces as illegitimate.
Trump’s sanctions complicate ICC investigations, potentially discouraging cooperation, limiting funding, and stalling cases involving the U.S. and its allies. While the ICC insists it will continue its work, enforcement depends on member states’ willingness to comply.
By sanctioning ICC officials, Trump signals a broader challenge to international legal mechanisms, reinforcing U.S. opposition to external prosecution of its leaders and allies.
A luxury polar expedition vessel linked to a hantavirus outbreak has arrived in Rotterdam, where health authorities have placed the final 27 people...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he had paused a planned attack on Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington. He said th...
Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing a security guard ...
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialo...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peac...
A luxury polar expedition vessel linked to a hantavirus outbreak has arrived in Rotterdam, where health authorities have placed the final 27 people on board into quarantine and have begun containment measures.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack against Iran after Tehran sent a peace proposal to Washington, and that there was now a "very good chance" of reaching a deal limiting Iran's nuclear programme.
Pakistan has deployed around 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defence systems to Saudi Arabia under a mutual defence agreement, according to security officials and government sources familiar with the arrangement.
Global leaders gathered in Baku this week for the 13th session of the World Urban Forum, where heads of state and senior officials warned that rapid urban growth is placing increasing pressure on housing, infrastructure and climate resilience.
The World Urban Forum (WUF13) continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 18 May, addressing the global housing crisis. The day’s agenda includes the official opening press conference, the WUF13 Urban Expo opening and a ministerial dialogue on the Nairobi Declaration to advance Africa's urban agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had paused a planned attack on Iran after appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, allowing negotiations to continue over a possible deal to end the conflict.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Guangxi region early on Monday, killing two people and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate as rescue efforts continued.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), warning that the situation poses a significant risk of cross-border spread in Central Africa.
The World Urban Forum (WUF) opens this week in Baku, Azerbaijan, bringing together governments, city leaders, urban planners, researchers and civil society to exchange ideas on how cities can become more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing a security guard and two other men outside the mosque before the suspects were found dead, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said.
United Nations World Urban Forum 13 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan on 19 May with sessions and roundtable discussions focused on strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in urban development. Organisers say there are nearly 3 billion people globally who face some form of housing inadequacy.
At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the country to a standstill.
Gunmen killed at least 10 people, including women and children, in an attack on a rural community in Nigeria’s northwestern Katsina State, residents said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to China is expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, particularly through expanded trade and economic cooperation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment