Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC - This is their response 

The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of alleged crimes during the war with Hamas that began on October 7, 2023. The court also issued arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders, all of whom have since been killed.

Neither the United States nor Israel recognizes or is a member of the ICC, and both nations have long rejected the court's jurisdiction. In his order, Trump described the ICC's actions as setting a “dangerous precedent” and highlighted that the court had issued what he called “baseless arrest warrants” against Israeli officials.

The executive order enacts significant sanctions, including barring ICC officials from entering the U.S. and imposing potential financial penalties. Trump's administration has consistently argued that the ICC has no authority over either the U.S. or Israel, as neither country is a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the court.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude toward Trump, calling the sanctions a bold move to protect both Israel and the United States. "Thank you, President Trump, for your bold ICC Executive Order. It will defend America and Israel from the anti-American and antisemitic corrupt court," Netanyahu said. He further criticized the ICC for attempting to target Israel as a “trial run” for future action against America.

In response, the ICC condemned the U.S. sanctions, asserting that they were an attempt to undermine the court's independent and impartial judicial work. The ICC also reaffirmed its commitment to providing justice for victims of atrocities worldwide, despite the sanctions. It called for solidarity from its 125 member states and the international community in standing up for justice and human rights.

This move represents a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and the ICC, with Trump defending U.S. sovereignty and Israel's actions in Gaza while accusing the court of overstepping its mandate. The conflict between the ICC's efforts to hold individuals accountable for international crimes and the U.S. and Israel's rejection of the court's authority appears set to intensify.