The United States announced Thursday that it has imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court, escalating tensions over the court’s recent actions targeting US and Israeli officials, AFP reported.
The sanctions came in response to the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as investigations into alleged war crimes by US forces in Afghanistan.
The measures include entry bans and the freezing of any property or financial interests the judges may have within the United States.
“The United States will take whatever actions we deem necessary to protect our sovereignty, that of Israel, and any other US ally from illegitimate actions by the ICC.
I call on the countries that still support the ICC, many of whose freedom was purchased at the price of great American sacrifices, to fight this disgraceful attack on our nation and Israel,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The court swiftly hit back, saying in a statement, “These measures are a clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution which operates under the mandate from 125 States Parties from all corners of the globe.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the US decision, thanking President Donald Trump and Rubio in a social media post for what he described as standing up for Israel against a politicised tribunal.
