US Urges Netherlands to Exit ICC Amid Sanctions Threat

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. officials have informed their Dutch counterparts that new sanctions against the International Criminal Court could be imposed starting Monday, urging the Netherlands, as the host country, to exit the body. Diplomatic and government sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that the Netherlands is examining ways to continue paying staff salaries, cover the costs for protected witnesses, and maintain the security of the court’s detention center.

The U.S. has already sanctioned over a dozen current and former ICC officials, including half of its current judges. Washington has taken these measures in response to the court’s investigations into American and Israeli officials, and the issuance of an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. Neither the United States nor Israel are members of the International Criminal Court.

The anticipated new sanctions could disrupt the court’s access to U.S. financial and technological services. In an effort to mitigate potential damage, the ICC has reportedly ceased using Microsoft products and has moved some of its financial and insurance services to companies outside the United States.