Trump vs ICC: US slaps sanctions on judges probing Netanyahu, Afghan battle; France ‘dismayed’

Donald Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu

The United States has escalated its confrontation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by sanctioning a French choose and a number of other different officers concerned in instances towards Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others.US secretary of state Marco Rubio introduced the measures on Thursday, concentrating on Judge Nicolas Guillou of France, who’s overseeing the case through which the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. Canadian choose Kimberly Prost was additionally sanctioned for her function in a separate case linked to alleged battle crimes in Afghanistan. Two deputy prosecutors, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal, have been added to the checklist.France condemned the choice, saying it was “dismayed” by Washington’s transfer. A international ministry spokesman referred to as the sanctions “in contradiction to the principle of an independent judiciary.” The ICC echoed that sentiment, calling the measures a “flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.”Netanyahu, nevertheless, praised Rubio, saying he had taken a “decisive act against a smear campaign of lies against the State of Israel” and its navy. The ICC has accused Netanyahu of battle crimes and crimes towards humanity throughout Israel’s navy operations in Gaza. The courtroom has additionally issued warrants for former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who has since been confirmed killed by Israel.Judge Guillou, now going through journey bans and an asset freeze within the United States, has an extended document of worldwide judicial service. He beforehand labored on trials associated to Kosovo and Lebanon and in addition spent years within the United States helping the Justice Department with judicial cooperation through the Obama administration.Rubio had already sanctioned 4 different ICC judges earlier in June. The US state division stated the 2 deputy prosecutors have been penalised for backing “illegitimate ICC actions against Israel,” together with their help for the warrants towards Netanyahu and Gallant. Judge Prost, the Canadian official now sanctioned, was beforehand concerned in authorising an ICC investigation into crimes through the Afghanistan battle, together with alleged abuses by US forces.The transfer follows a sample set through the Trump administration, which dismissed the ICC’s authority and positioned sanctions on courtroom officers. Biden later rolled again these restrictions and allowed restricted cooperation with the courtroom, notably in instances associated to Ukraine. The newest motion comes simply days after United States president Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, regardless of the ICC warrant for Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.