In a move that has sparked international outrage, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision directly follows the ICC’s investigations into alleged war crimes by Israeli officials during their military response to the October 2023 Hamas attacks.

The United States, along with Israel, does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, and the U.S. has long maintained a critical stance toward the court. Trump’s sanctions target the ICC’s efforts to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, both accused of committing war crimes.

Trump’s executive order accuses the ICC of conducting “illegitimate and baseless” actions against Israel and the U.S., arguing that the court has overstepped its bounds. The U.S. now threatens significant consequences for ICC officials, including asset blocking and travel restrictions.

Critics, including human rights activists, have raised concerns that these sanctions will undermine global efforts to pursue justice for victims of human rights abuses. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) voiced concerns over the chilling effect the sanctions will have on global human rights investigations, stressing that such actions could hinder accountability in conflict zones around the world