ICC’s governing body says it ‘regrets’ US steps to sanction court over Gaza warrants

US House of Representatives voted to sanction International Criminal Court over its moves against Netanyahu, Gallant; US President Trump opened door via executive order to do so

An exterior view of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 30, 2024.  (AP/Peter Dejong)
An exterior view of the International Criminal Court, or ICC, in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 30, 2024. (AP/Peter Dejong)

The International Criminal Court’s governing body said on Thursday it regretted any attempts to undermine the ICC’s independence following US moves to sanction it in protest of its arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant over Israel’s war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

In a statement, the ICC’s governing body — known as the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute — said that sanctions against the court and its personnel — and anyone assisting them — could “severely hamper ongoing investigations.”

“The Bureau regrets any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We reiterate our firm commitment to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute and to preserve its integrity undeterred by any threats or measures against the Court, its officials, its personnel and those cooperating with it,” the statement said.

The US House of Representatives voted for sanctions this month after the ICC issued the arrest warrants in November. The US legislation still needs to be okayed in the Senate, where it will have a harder time passing.

In addition, on his first day in office this week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order that reinstated an earlier executive order that could serve as a legal basis for future sanctions against the ICC and its personnel. No specific sanctions have been announced yet.

The ICC’s charges allege that Netanyahu and Gallant committed the war crimes of directing attacks against the civilian population of Gaza and of using starvation as a method of warfare by hindering the supply of international aid to Gaza, in the war that began October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) speaks in a video statement on November 12, 2024. (Screenshot/GPO); Then-defense Minister Yoav Gallant speaks during a press conference at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, on November 5, 2024. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Israel has strongly rejected the substance of the allegations, noting that it has funneled massive amounts of humanitarian aid through the crossings along the Gaza border, and blaming distribution issues inside the Strip in cases of failure to reach the civilian population. Israel has also rejected allegations that it targets civilians, noting efforts to avoid civilian casualties despite Hamas’s systematic use of human shields.

The ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression of the territory of member states or by their nationals.

The court has said its decision to pursue warrants for the Israeli officials was in line with its approach in all cases, based on an assessment by the prosecutor that there was enough evidence to proceed, and the view that seeking arrest warrants immediately could prevent ongoing crimes.

Jacob Magid contributed to this report. 

Most Popular
read more: