US hits ICC with sanctions over Putin arrest warrant
Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
The US has imposed sanctions on four judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court, which previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports the US State Department.
According to the State Department, the decision was made because the ICC’s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a person under protection, without the consent of that person’s country of citizenship, are considered malicious actions.
Specifically, the sanctions target two judges and two deputy prosecutors of the International Criminal Court:
- One judge is sanctioned for allowing the International Criminal Court to investigate the activities of US personnel in Afghanistan.
- Three others are sanctioned for their role in issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The sanctions include freezing and blocking all assets of these individuals in the US. US residents are also prohibited from conducting any transactions with the foreign assets of the sanctioned individuals or providing them with any services.
The International Criminal Court previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the deportation of Ukrainian children.
Netanyahu’s reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already responded to the US decision, thanking US Secretary of State Mark Rubio for it.
“This is a firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign against the State of Israel and the IDF, and for truth and justice,” said Netanyahu’s press service on X.
Arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
In November of last year, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The court at the time determined that Netanyahu and Gallant were allegedly involved in war crimes against the civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
However, the decision was criticized by several countries. In particular, the US National Security Council emphasized that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.
In April of this year, the ICC’s Appeals Chamber ruled that the judges of the Pre-Trial Chamber who issued the warrants must consider Israel’s objections regarding the court’s jurisdiction and the legality of the arrest warrants.
