The move follows the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The sanctions will target those who assisted in the investigation, including their family members.
ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
In November, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. The court alleges war crimes in Gaza, including accusations of using starvation as a weapon of war and persecution of civilians.
Israel has strongly rejected the allegations and attempted to invalidate the warrants, but the court dismissed the appeal.
“The ICC Is a Sham Institution,” Says U.S. National Security Advisor
In a sharp response to the ICC’s decision, Mike Waltz, National Security Advisor in the Trump administration, stated: “The ICC is a sham institution, and these accusations have been debunked by the U.S. government. Israel has legally defended its citizens and borders against terrorists who promote genocide. Expect a strong response to the ICC’s anti-Semitic bias and the UN’s complicity this January.”
ICC Braces for Sanctions Amid U.S. Pressure
Sources say the ICC has taken precautionary steps to shield its employees from the effects of the sanctions, including paying staff three months’ salary in advance to counter potential financial restrictions.
The Trump administration has previously taken a series of strong pro-Israel measures, including: withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council, cutting U.S. funding to UNRWA, and lifting restrictions on arms shipments to Israel.
