U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court. According to Trump, “the ICC has, without a legitimate basis, asserted jurisdiction and initiated preliminary investigations concerning personnel of the United States and some of its allies, including Israel, and further abused its power by issuing unfounded arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, as neither country is a party to the Rome Statute or a member of the ICC. Neither country has ever recognized the jurisdiction of the Cpi and both nations are thriving democracies with armies that strictly adhere to the laws of war. The Cpi’s recent actions against Israel and the United States set a dangerous precedent by directly endangering current and former U.S. personnel, including active duty members of the armed forces, exposing them to harassment, abuse and possible arrest. This malicious conduct in turn threatens to violate U.S. sovereignty and undermines the critical national security and foreign policy work of the U.S. government and our allies, including Israel,” he stresses. Thus, Trump reiterates that “the United States unequivocally opposes and expects our allies to oppose any ICC action against the United States, Israel, or any other U.S. ally that has not consented to ICC jurisdiction. The United States will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions, some of which could include the freezing of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees and agents, as well as their immediate family members, because their entry into our nation would be detrimental to U.S. interests.” The Court’s response was not long in coming and, in a note, condemned “the issuance by the United States of an executive order that seeks to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work. The Court strongly supports its staff and is committed to continuing to provide justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities around the world, in all situations as they arise. We call on our 125 member states, civil society and all nations of the world to stand united for justice and basic human rights.” In support of Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke predictably. “Thank you, President Trump, for your bold executive order on the ICC. It will defend America and Israel from the corrupt, anti-American, anti-Semitic court, which has no jurisdiction or basis to wage legal war against us. The ICC has waged a ruthless campaign against Israel as evidence for action against America. President Trump’s executive order protects the sovereignty of both countries and his brave soldiers. Thank you, President Trump,” she said on X. The president of the European Commission, too, did not fail to make her voice heard and wrote on X, “The ICC ensures accountability for international crimes and gives a voice to victims around the world. It must be able to freely pursue the fight against global impunity. Europe will always stand for justice and respect for international law.” The United Nations also called on U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions against the International Criminal Court. “We deeply regret the individual sanctions announced yesterday against court staff and call for this measure to be lifted,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. (ITALPRESS).
-Photo: Ipa Agency-
Clash between Trump and the International Criminal Court.
