What's happened
On December 18, 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin, for upholding arrest warrants against Israeli leaders Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. These sanctions bar the judges from entering the US and freeze their assets. The ICC condemned the sanctions as attacks on judicial independence. The US and Israel, both non-members of the ICC, reject its jurisdiction, while the court continues its investigations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
What's behind the headline?
US Strategy to Shield Allies
The US sanctions against ICC judges represent a deliberate strategy to shield Israeli officials from international legal scrutiny. By targeting judges who upheld arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the US asserts its rejection of ICC jurisdiction over its close ally, Israel. This move aligns the US with other ICC critics like Russia, which has also sanctioned ICC officials.
Impact on ICC's Functionality
The sanctions severely hamper the ICC's operational capacity. Judges face travel bans, asset freezes, and difficulties in daily financial transactions, undermining their independence and ability to perform duties. The ICC's leadership crisis, including the chief prosecutor's temporary leave amid misconduct allegations, compounds these challenges.
Political and Legal Implications
The US stance reflects broader geopolitical dynamics where sovereignty claims clash with international justice efforts. Israel's rejection of ICC jurisdiction, citing the Oslo Accords, challenges the court's mandate to investigate alleged crimes in Palestinian territories. The US sanctions risk politicizing international law and may deter future investigations into powerful states or their allies.
Domestic US Political Divisions
Within the US, support for Israel's military actions and the ICC sanctions is not unanimous. Some Republican figures and younger voters express concern over the financial and moral costs of backing Israel unconditionally. This internal dissent could influence future US foreign policy and aid commitments.
Forecast
The US is likely to maintain or escalate sanctions if the ICC persists with investigations into Israeli officials. This could further isolate the ICC from major powers, weakening its global authority. Meanwhile, the court will struggle to balance its mandate against mounting political pressures, potentially affecting its credibility and effectiveness in prosecuting international crimes.
What the papers say
Marco Rubio's statement, as reported by The New Arab and The Times of Israel, explicitly links the sanctions to the judges' December 15 vote upholding arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant. Rubio declared, "We will not tolerate ICC abuses of power that violate the sovereignty of the United States and Israel." The ICC, according to France 24 and Al Jazeera, strongly rejects these sanctions, calling them "a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution." The Times of Israel highlights the practical difficulties faced by sanctioned judges, including travel bans and financial restrictions, which impede their work.
Al Jazeera provides insight into the broader US support for Israel, including billions in military aid and political backing, while also noting dissent within the US Republican base, with figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizing the unconditional support. Reuters reveals that the US has demanded the ICC drop investigations into both Israeli leaders and US troops in Afghanistan, threatening further sanctions or even sanctioning the court itself.
The Associated Press and The Independent detail the severe personal and professional impacts of the sanctions on ICC officials, including loss of banking services and travel restrictions, underscoring the sanctions' wide-ranging consequences beyond diplomatic statements. This multifaceted coverage illustrates the complex interplay of international law, geopolitics, and domestic politics shaping the ongoing conflict between the US and the ICC.
How we got here
The ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant for alleged war crimes during the Gaza conflict. The US, under the Trump administration, responded with sanctions against ICC judges and prosecutors involved in these investigations, citing violations of US and Israeli sovereignty. The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute serious international crimes, includes 125 member states but excludes the US and Israel. The court's probe has faced strong opposition from the US and Israel, leading to escalating sanctions and diplomatic tensions.
Go deeper
- Why is the US sanctioning ICC judges involved in the Israel investigation?
- What are the implications of these sanctions for international law?
- How has the ICC responded to the US sanctions?
Common question
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Why Did the US Sanction ICC Officials Now?
The US has recently imposed sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, including judges and the chief prosecutor. This move raises questions about the timing and reasons behind these sanctions, especially as the ICC investigates US and Israeli officials. In this page, we'll explore why the US took this step now, what it means for international justice, and how it impacts US-ICC relations.
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What Are the Latest Global Power Shifts and Political Tensions?
Recent developments in international politics are reshaping alliances and sparking debates worldwide. From US criticisms of Europe to tensions over international justice and diplomatic appointments, these stories raise important questions about the future of global stability. Below, we explore the key issues and answer the most common questions about these evolving geopolitical dynamics.
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Why Did the US Sanction ICC Judges Over Israel?
In December 2025, the US imposed sanctions on ICC judges involved in investigating Israeli leaders over Gaza war crimes. This move has sparked international debate about judicial independence, US sovereignty, and the future of international law. Curious about why the US took this step and what it means for global justice? Keep reading to understand the key issues behind these sanctions and their wider implications.
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What’s the Big Picture Behind Recent Global Conflicts and Diplomacy?
Recent headlines reveal a complex web of international tensions, legal battles, and diplomatic efforts shaping our world today. From US sanctions against ICC judges over Israel probes to escalating conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, understanding these stories helps us grasp the broader implications for global stability. Below, we explore key questions about how these events connect, their impact, and what to watch for next.
More on these topics
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The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands.
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Yoav Galant is an Israeli politician and former commander of the Southern Command in the Israel Defense Forces. In January 2015, he entered politics, joining the new Kulanu party.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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Marco Antonio Rubio is an American attorney and politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A Republican, Rubio previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Erdenebalsuren Damdin (born 7 August 1967) is a Mongolian judge specialising in criminal law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. On 11 March 2024 he started a nine-year term as a judge of the International Crimina
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Rodrigo Roa Duterte KGCR, also known as Digong and Rody, is a Filipino politician who is the 16th and current president of the Philippines and the first from Mindanao to hold the office. He is the chairperson of PDP–Laban, the ruling political party.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to: