US Imposes Sanctions on Four ICC Judges for Israel, US Investigations

The United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, has imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to the court's investigations and arrest warrants targeting U.S. soldiers and Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these sanctions address what the U.S. views as the ICC's illegitimate and politically motivated actions against U.S. and Israeli citizens without their consent, asserting that such investigations infringe on national sovereignty and security. The sanctioned judges are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The ICC criticized the sanctions as attempts to undermine its independence and impede justice for victims of serious crimes, arguing that such measures embolden impunity. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to protecting its sovereignty and that of its allies against what it deems unlawful ICC actions. This marks a continuation of U.S. efforts to counter the ICC's jurisdiction over its nationals and those of allied countries.