PBS: Why Has the U.S. Sanctioned Certain ICC Officials?
The English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency, reported that PBS stated the International Criminal Court (ICC) faced U.S.sanctions after investigating and issuing rulings on war crimes committed by Israeli occupiers in Gaza.
PBS correspondent Kara Kay explained that the ICC intervenes only when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
The report added that after the Trump administration sanctioned several ICC members this year, it became clear to Americans that these rulings would lead to significant legal actions against Israel. this prompted Washington to impose sanctions on some court officials.
Despite many ICC staff being U.S.nationals, Washington opposes the court’s decisions when they conflict with American interests. the United States is active in human rights within this court but has declared that the ICC targets both Washington and Israel as its allies.The ICC officially recognizes Palestine as a state member and asserts jurisdiction over events occurring in Gaza. Though, 18 days into his presidency, Trump claimed the ICC abused its authority by condemning Israel.
PBS noted that nine ICC members were sanctioned by the U.S.; these individuals either worked on the Gaza case or previously investigated actions of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan. The sanctions are severe, typically reserved for extremist groups or opposed governments, restricting travel to the U.S. and access to bank accounts. Following these measures, Microsoft blocked emails from the Office of the ICC Prosecutor.
Last year, alongside Turkey’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu himself and a former Israeli defense minister.
Crimes attributed to Netanyahu and other top Israeli officials in Gaza and Palestine include using starvation as a weapon, murder, torture, harassment, and other inhumane acts.
