The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday denounced fresh U.S. sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on four of its officials, including two judges who authorized arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over their war crimes in Gaza.
Calling the measures “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution,” the ICC said in a statement that the sanctions were an affront to the court’s 125 member states, the rules-based international order and “millions of innocent victims across the world.” The court vowed to continue fulfilling its mandate “without regard to any pressure or threat.”
The move drew swift condemnation from France, which said it had “learned with dismay” of the sanctions, including those targeting French Judge Nicolas Guillou. Paris urged Washington to withdraw all penalties imposed under the Feb. 6, 2025 presidential decree, stressing that they undermine judicial independence and constitute “an attack on the Court and all 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute.” France expressed solidarity with the sanctioned judges and reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the ICC in its fight against impunity.
