ICC and Trump's sanctions: What is behind it?

ICC and Trump's sanctions: What is behind it?

President Donald Trump has a eexecutive Order that sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC). He accuses the organization of taking "illegitimate and unfounded measures" against the United States and its allies.

background of the sanctions

The ICC, which is pursuing individuals for serious international crimes, has been exposed to huge resistance since the exhibition of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, due to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the conflict in Gaza. Also for the Hamas officials Mohammed deif accuses one of the masterminds of attacks on October 7 be. HAMAS confirmed last month that Israel Deif had killed in an air raid.

Trump's explanations for the sanctions

Trump explained that the court had abused its power by issuing "reasonless arrest warrants" against Netanyahu and Gallant. According to Trump, this is set by a "dangerous precedent", the current and former US staff directly endanger and represents an "unusual and extraordinary threat" for national security. In his disposal, economic and travel restrictions for people who work on the ICC investigations against the citizens of the United States and their allies are imposed.

The reaction of the ICC

The ICC condemned Trump's decision and stated that it was firmly behind his “staff” and that justice and hope will continue to offer millions of innocent victims of atrocities around the world. The names of the sanctioned employees are currently not public, but those affected and their families could not enter the United States. In addition, their assets could be frozen and the purchase of real estate could be refused.

What is the ICC?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) based in the Hague, the Netherlands, deals with the persecution of individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression crimes against the sovereignty of his 125 Member States. Neither the USA nor Israel are members of the ICC.

Similar to a central bank that acts as a lender last instance, the ICC appears as a court of last instance if national authorities are not able to pursue crimes. Karim Khan, the court's chief bank, explained that the ICC is aiming for arrest warrants against three Hamas officials in connection with the Gaza conflict. These arrest warrants were issued in November.

reactions to Trump's measures

The United Nations said they regretted Trump's decision and asked him to take them back. Even European voices such as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, emphasized that the ICC must have freedom to fight the fight against global impunity. Contrary to this, the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed that it was time to check the cooperation with an organization that is under US sanctions.

Trump's strategy and the global context

The sanctions were imposed in the White House after a visit to Netanyahu. Trump had previously said that he was planning to "clean" the Gaza area and presented a plan in which the United States took over the territory, the Palestinians living there and could transform it into a new "Riviera". This project, which implies ethnic cleansing and violations of international law, met with the worldwide rejection, while it was applauded by parts of the Israeli political rights.

These developments, along with the new sanctions, suggest that the USA under Trump under Trump from a supporter of international criminal justice to move to a potential perpetrator of injustices, which is worrying.