US Sanctions Four ICC Judges in Retaliation for Netanyahu Arrest Warrant

On June 5, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This action followed the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The sanctions, according to a statement by US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, target individuals "actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel." These sanctions severely limit the judges' ability to conduct routine financial transactions, affecting their work and personal lives. The ICC strongly condemned the US move, calling it an attempt to undermine the court's independence and its mission to provide justice to victims of unimaginable atrocities. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between the US and the ICC, demonstrating the complexities of international law and justice.