The United States has rolled out a new wave of sanctions against members of the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating its confrontation with the tribunal after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
In a statement on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against four ICC figures, two judges and two prosecutors, describing the court as a “national security threat” and “an instrument of lawfare against the United States and our close ally Israel.”
The latest sanctions list includes:
- Kimberly Prost (Canada) – sanctioned for authorising an ICC probe into alleged US crimes in Afghanistan.
- Nicolas Guillou (France) – ICC judge who oversaw the pre-trial panel approving Netanyahu’s arrest warrant.
- Nazhat Shameem Khan (Fiji) – ICC deputy prosecutor.
- Mame Mandiaye Niang (Senegal) – ICC deputy prosecutor.
The US State Department pointed to their direct role in upholding or advancing the Israeli cases.
In response, the court denounced the sanctions as a “flagrant attack” on its independence and vowed to continue its work “without regard to any restriction, pressure or threat.”
Despite neither the US nor Israel being members of the ICC, the tribunal argues jurisdiction because the alleged crimes occurred in territories that are part of the court.
The ICC is also investigating possible war crimes in Afghanistan, though it has stated that its focus will remain on abuses committed by the Taliban and ISIL (ISIS).
Netanyahu praised Rubio’s announcement, calling it a “decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel.”
But the move has drawn criticism elsewhere.
France’s Foreign Ministry said the sanctioned judges’ work was “essential in the fight against impunity.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned the US decision undermines the foundation of international justice, saying it placed “severe impediments” on the prosecutor’s work.
Notably, two of the sanctioned officials are from France and Canada — countries that recently joined others in recognising a Palestinian state, citing Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion and forced expulsions in the occupied West Bank.
The Trump administration had already sanctioned ICC officials earlier this year, with critics accusing Washington of shielding Israel and undermining international law.
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned