Dozens of countries have issued a joint statement in support of the International Criminal Court (ICC) following the sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump.
On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC over investigations into Israel and an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The order imposes strong economic sanctions and visa restrictions to individuals and judges associated with the ICC, including their family members.
A majority of the ICC's member states, including the U.K., Germany, and France, have expressed their unwavering support for the court, writing, "We, the undersigned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC. The Court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims." There are 125 members of the ICC, yet the U.S. and Israel do not recognize its authority. Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy notably abstained from signing.
In June, the House of Representatives passed a bill to sanction the ICC for requesting arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The vote passed 247 to 155, with 205 Republicans supporting the measure alongside 42 Democrats. The ICC also sought an arrest warrant for several Hamas leaders, including Yahya Sinwar who was killed by Israel in October. The Biden Administration and other Democrats had opposed the measure calling it "overly broad" and warning that it would disrupt those Americans and U.S. companies that work with the court.
The Trump White House said the ICC has created a "shameful moral equivalency" between Hamas and Israel by seeking simultaneous arrest warrants. The announcement of sanctions comes the same week as Netanyahu is visiting Washington, D.C. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he "strongly" approved of Trump's executive order, adding the ICC's actions were "immoral and have no legal basis" and accusing the court of not operating "in accordance with international law."
Yet, much of the rest of world disagrees. Former ICC prosecutor and Argentine lawyer Luis Moreno Ocampo told the BCC, "It's a challenge … for all Europe, UK, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand, Australia — are they going to let Mr. Trump to become the global president?"
Proponents of the ICC worry the Trump sanctions could impede the court's technical and IT operations, while others worry that victims of alleged atrocities will now hesitate to testify.
"As we collectively strive to uphold international justice, we underscore the ICC's indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights," the signatories statement concluded.