iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of unfairly targeting the United States and Israel. The sanctions include financial and visa restrictions on individuals who help with ICC investigations into American citizens or allies.
Trump signed the order while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington. The ICC had previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander.
A White House fact sheet criticized the ICC for treating Hamas and Israel as equals by issuing the warrants at the same time. The executive order said the ICC’s actions posed a “dangerous precedent” that could harm Americans and undermine U.S. sovereignty and national security. It also stated that both the U.S. and Israel are democracies with militaries that follow the laws of war.
The U.S. is not part of the ICC and has rejected the court’s authority over its citizens. The White House also accused the ICC of limiting Israel’s right to self-defense and ignoring threats from Iran and anti-Israel groups.
During his first term, Trump imposed sanctions on ICC officials investigating potential U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. These sanctions were later lifted by President Joe Biden’s administration. Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC, but the bill did not pass in the Senate.
The ICC, established in 2002, investigates war crimes and atrocities. Over 120 countries have joined the court, but neither the U.S. nor Israel is a member.
President Biden has also criticized the ICC’s warrant for Netanyahu, calling it “outrageous” and saying there’s no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Trump’s executive order follows his announcement earlier this week that the U.S. would “take over” Gaza, resettle Palestinians, and turn the area into a major tourist destination. The idea was criticized by Arab leaders and the United Nations. Trump later reiterated the plan on his social media platform.
During Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, he met with U.S. lawmakers and gave Trump a golden pager as a gift, referencing a deadly Israeli operation against Hezbollah in September, which resulted in many casualties. Israel said the operation targeted only Hezbollah members, but Lebanese officials said civilians were also affected.
(Photo courtesy: POTUS/X)
