The US is considering imposing sanctions on the entire International Criminal Court (ICC), a move seen as a strong escalation after the agency opened investigations into suspected war crimes involving Israel.
Washington has previously personally sanctioned a number of judges and prosecutors. But if ICC is added to the sanctions list as an individual, the courts daily operations will be severely affected.
The diplomatic source said that ICC held internal emergency meetings and with representatives of member countries to assess the potential impact.
A US official confirmed that the possibility of imposing comprehensive sanctions is being considered, while the US State Department accused ICC of going beyond its authority in targeting US and Israeli citizens. The spokesperson stressed that the US will take further measures to protect the interests of its national interests and its forces.
ICC, based in The Hague (Netherlands), has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and several Hamas members for allegations in the Gaza conflict. The United States and Israel are not members of ICC, but the court recognizes Palestine as a member, thereby affirming its authority over its actions in Palestinian territory.
To reduce the impact, ICC employees have been given a full year's salary in advance for 2025, and ICC is looking for a banking and alternative software provider. Several ICC members have expressed their intention to opposing additional US sanctions at the UN General Assembly. However, many diplomats believe that Washington will continue to increase the pressure.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called ICC a national security threat and accused the court of becoming a tool for a legal war against the US and its ally Israel. The White House had previously imposed sanctions on Attorney General Karim Khan, who had demanded an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant. Khan is currently on leave due to investigation over allegations of personal violations, which he denied.
