US Expands Sanctions on ICC Judges, Deepening Rift Over Israeli War Crimes Probe

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on two additional judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating a long‑running confrontation over the tribunal’s investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza. The move marks the latest step in Washington’s intensifying campaign to pressure the court as it pursues cases involving senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Thursday, targeting Appeals Chamber judges Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia. Both jurists participated in a December 15 ruling that rejected Israel’s attempt to halt the ICC’s ongoing Gaza investigation and upheld arrest warrants issued last year for Netanyahu and Gallant.

Rubio said the judges had “directly engaged” in efforts to investigate or prosecute Israeli nationals without Israel’s consent, calling the ICC’s actions “abuses of power” that undermine the sovereignty of both the United States and Israel.

A Growing List of Sanctioned ICC Officials

The latest designations bring the total number of ICC judges sanctioned by the Trump administration to eight, alongside at least three prosecutors, including Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Washington has repeatedly argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over Israeli nationals because Israel is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.

The sanctions—imposed under Executive Order 14203—freeze any U.S.-based assets belonging to the targeted judges and bar them from entering the United States. ICC staff have previously reported being cut off from banking services, credit card companies, and major technology platforms as a result of earlier rounds of sanctions.

The ICC has condemned the measures as a “flagrant attack” on its independence, warning that U.S. pressure threatens the integrity of the international legal system.

Israel Welcomes US Support as Legal Pressure Mounts

Israel, which has long rejected the ICC’s authority, praised Washington’s actions. Netanyahu, who faces an active arrest warrant, called the sanctions “strong action” in defense of Israel’s right to self‑protection amid the Gaza conflict.

The ICC’s investigation focuses on alleged war crimes committed after October 7, 2023, including civilian casualties, the destruction of infrastructure, and restrictions on humanitarian aid. Israel has filed multiple appeals seeking to invalidate the warrants and halt the probe, all of which have been dismissed by the court’s judges.

Had Israel succeeded in its most recent appeal, the arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant would have been nullified, significantly altering the trajectory of the case.

Human Rights Groups Condemn US Retaliation

Human rights organizations sharply criticized the new sanctions. Amnesty International’s Center for International Justice said the measures “cannot be normalized,” arguing that they undermine accountability efforts for serious international crimes.

Advocacy groups warn that the U.S. campaign risks setting a precedent that powerful states can intimidate or punish international judges for decisions they dislike. The ICC has similarly cautioned that such actions could erode global norms around the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

A Diplomatic Standoff With No Signs of Easing

The Biden administration had previously rolled back some Trump-era sanctions on ICC officials, but the renewed measures under President Trump signal a return to a more confrontational posture. Washington continues to insist that the ICC should drop its investigations into both Israeli and U.S. personnel, including earlier probes related to Afghanistan.

With the ICC pressing ahead and the United States doubling down on punitive measures, the standoff shows no sign of abating. Analysts warn that the clash could further strain U.S. relations with allies who support the court and complicate global efforts to enforce international humanitarian law.