Trump signs executive order sanctioning ICC after arrest warrant for Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands following a joint news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S. on Feb. 04, 2025. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday authorizing sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the tribunal’s arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The order was issued just two days after Trump hosted Netanyahu for talks.
In his order, Trump condemned the ICC for its “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.” He argued that the court’s actions against both countries set a “dangerous precedent,” threatening the safety of U.S. personnel and their allies.
‘Malign conduct’
“This malign conduct 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,” Trump stated.
Trump also emphasized that neither the U.S. nor Israel recognizes ICC jurisdiction, as both countries are not parties to the Rome Statute.
“Neither country has ever recognized the ICC’s jurisdiction, and both nations are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war,” Trump added.
In January, after Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction the ICC, but it did not advance in the Senate.
The sanctions will include asset freezes and entry bans for ICC officials and their families, citing national security interests.
Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant face arrest warrants issued by the Hague-based court in November 2024, charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its military actions in the enclave.
