February 07, (THEWILL) – U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court over its investigations into the United States and its allies, particularly Israel.
The order, which includes financial sanctions and visa restrictions, targets ICC officials and their family members found to have assisted in probes against U.S. citizens or allied nations.
Trump accused the Hague-based court of targeting Israel unfairly citing its November arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and several Hamas leaders.
The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander.
Denouncing the move, Trump said the court was creating a “shameful moral equivalency” between Hamas and Israel.
“The ICC’s actions set a dangerous precedent that exposes Americans to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest,” Trump stated.
He further warned that the court’s conduct “threatens U.S. sovereignty and undermines national security and foreign policy efforts” particularly in support of Israel and other allies.
The ICC, established in 2002, prosecutes cases of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
However, the U.S. has never been a member of the court, citing concerns over sovereignty and potential political bias.
