US Imposes Sanctions On ICC Officials For Targeting Israel; Netanyahu Praises Move

Last Updated:August 21, 2025, 00:00 IST

As part of the sanctions, the United States will freeze any assets the individuals may hold within U.S. jurisdiction.

The sanctions specifically target four individuals currently serving within the ICC (File pic/Reuters)

The US Department of State has announced new sanctions against four officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing the court of targeting American and Israeli personnel. In a statement released Wednesday, the Department emphasised that the ICC poses a threat to the US and its allies. The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and the Hague-based tribunal over its investigations into alleged war crimes involving American and Israeli personnel.

The sanctions specifically target four individuals currently serving within the ICC,which include Judges Kimberly Prost and Nicolas Guillou, and Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameen Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang.

Judge Kimberly Prost has been sanctioned for her role in authorising investigations into alleged war crimes committed by US personnel in Afghanistan. Judge Nicolas Guillou has been named for his involvement in issuing arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Deputy Prosecutors Khan and Niang are accused of supporting what the State Department described as “illegitimate ICC actions against Israel."

As part of the sanctions, the US will freeze any assets the individuals may hold within US jurisdiction. In addition, their names have been reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The sanctions also extend to any property or financial interests in which the named individuals have a 50 percent or greater stake, either directly or indirectly, through partnerships or other entities. Such assets may also be subject to blocking under US law.

Senator Marco Rubio stated in an official statement, “The Court is a national security threat that has been an instrument for lawfare against the US and our close ally Israel." He also posted on X to allege ICC of disreagrding US’s national sovereignity.

The sanctions were also praised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the move a “decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel."

Although neither the US nor Israel is a member of the ICC, the court asserts jurisdiction over crimes committed in member states. This includes investigations involving citizens of non-member countries if the alleged crimes occurred on the territory of a member nation.

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Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 21, 2025, 00:00 IST

News world US Imposes Sanctions On ICC Officials For Targeting Israel; Netanyahu Praises Move

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