The United States is poised to impose sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) officials. According to The Guardian, UK, the US is prepared to collaborate with Congress to potentially sanction the officials of the world’s top court. This decision follows the ICC prosecutor’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over the Gaza war.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed this development on Tuesday during a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham urged Blinken to support renewed US sanctions on the ICC.
On Monday, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced the court’s intention to arrest both Israeli and Hamas leaders. Graham emphasized the need for actions beyond words and sought bipartisan support for sanctioning the ICC to protect US interests.
Blinken expressed willingness to cooperate, stating, “I welcome working with you on that.”
Khan’s announcement indicated he had reasonable grounds to believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s defence chief, and three Hamas leaders “bear criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
