Trump Signs Executive Order Implementing Sanctions on ICC
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Synopsis
On February 7, President Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the ICC, alleging its actions against the U.S. and Israel are illegitimate. This order restricts financial transactions and visa access for those aiding ICC investigations of Americans or allies.
Key Takeaways
- Trump's executive order targets ICC actions against the U.S. and Israel.
- Financial and visa restrictions apply to individuals aiding ICC investigations.
- Netanyahu's visit coincided with the executive order signing.
- The U.S. is not a member of the ICC and does not recognize its jurisdiction.
- Previous sanctions on ICC officials were lifted by Biden's administration.
Washington, Feb 7 (NationPress) President Donald Trump has enacted an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), branding its actions as illegitimate and unfounded in targeting the United States and its close ally Israel.
This directive enforces financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who contribute to ICC investigations concerning American citizens or allies, according to a report by BBC.
Trump executed this measure during the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
In November, the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over purported war crimes in Gaza, a claim that Israel refutes.
The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander, as reported by BBC.
A fact sheet from the White House that circulated earlier on Thursday accused the Hague-based ICC of establishing a “shameful moral equivalency” between Hamas and Israel by releasing the warrants simultaneously.
Trump's executive order stated that the ICC's recent measures “set a dangerous precedent” that could jeopardize Americans by exposing them to harassment, abuse, and possible arrest.
This malicious conduct threatens to undermine the sovereignty of the United States and jeopardizes the essential national security and foreign policy initiatives of the U.S. government and its allies, including Israel, according to the order.
The order emphasized that both nations (the U.S. and Israel) are vibrant democracies with military forces that adhere strictly to the laws of war.
The U.S. is not a signatory to the ICC and has consistently rejected any jurisdiction from the court over American officials or citizens.
The White House also accused the ICC of imposing limits on Israel's right to self-defense, while neglecting Iran and anti-Israel factions.
Trump has frequently criticized the ICC and took multiple steps to sanction the organization during his initial term.
Previously, he imposed sanctions on ICC officials who were probing whether U.S. forces had committed war crimes in Afghanistan. Those sanctions were revoked by President Joe Biden's administration.
Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to sanction the ICC, but the bill faltered in the Senate.
The ICC was established in 2002 following the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the Rwandan genocide to investigate alleged atrocities.
Over 120 countries have ratified the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, while another 34 have signed and may ratify in the future.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel is a participant in the Rome Statute.
The ICC serves as a court of last resort, intended to intervene only when national authorities are unable or unwilling to prosecute.
During his presidency, Biden also criticized the ICC's warrant for Netanyahu, labeling the action as “outrageous” and asserting that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Trump's signing of this executive order follows his announcement during a joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister on Tuesday regarding a plan for the U.S. to “take over” Gaza, resettle its Palestinian population, and develop the territory into the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
After Arab leaders and the UN condemned this idea, the U.S. President reiterated it on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.
“The Gaza Strip would be handed over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting,” Trump stated.
Trump signed the order while Netanyahu continued his visit to Washington, engaging with lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties on Capitol Hill.
The Israeli Prime Minister also presented Trump with a golden pager, referencing Israel's lethal operation against Hezbollah in September of last year, which involved booby-trapped communications devices.
Dozens of individuals were killed and thousands injured during the attacks.
Israel asserted that the operation was specifically aimed at members of the Iran-backed group, but Lebanese officials claimed that civilians were among the casualties.
