US Sanctions Four ICC Judges Over War Crimes Probes

The United States has imposed sanctions on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges—Solomy Balungi Bossa, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou, and Beti Hohler—for authorizing investigations into alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over actions in Gaza. The sanctions freeze any U.S.-based assets of the judges and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the measures are intended to protect U.S. and Israeli sovereignty from what he called illegitimate ICC actions. The move has been strongly condemned by the ICC, the European Union, human rights organizations, and the Netherlands, who argue the sanctions undermine international justice. Supporters of the sanctions, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, argue the ICC lacks authority over non-member states such as the U.S. and Israel. The ICC has pledged to continue its mandate despite the political pressure.