Rubio ICC Sanctions: US & Israel Response
- The United States is imposing sanctions on four International Criminal court judges for their role in investigations targeting Israel and the U.S., Secretary of State marco Rubio announced...
- The judges facing sanctions are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of...
- The ICC responded, deploring the sanctions as an attempt to undermine its independence.
The United States, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has sanctioned four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, a direct response to the court’s investigations targeting both Israel and the U.S. This decisive action blocks the judges’ U.S.-held assets and underscores the escalating tension between Washington and the ICC. The sanctioned judges, including Solomy Balungi Bossa and Luz del carmen Ibáñez Carranza, are implicated in probes into alleged U.S. war crimes. This move follows the ICC’s controversial issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials. The ICC has condemned the sanctions, viewing them as undermining its independence. News Directory 3 provides an analysis of the implications of such policies. Discover what’s next for international relations and the pursuit of justice.
US Sanctions ICC Judges over Israel Arrest Warrants
Updated June 6, 2025
The United States is imposing sanctions on four International Criminal court judges for their role in investigations targeting Israel and the U.S., Secretary of State marco Rubio announced Thursday. The move follows the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli officials,including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,and probes into alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan.
The judges facing sanctions are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The sanctions will block any property or interests they hold in the U.S., which must then be reported to the Treasury Department.
The ICC responded, deploring the sanctions as an attempt to undermine its independence. The court maintains it “stands fully behind its personnel” and will continue its work “undeterred.”
rubio accused the judges of “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the U.S.and Israel. He described the ICC as “politicized” and said it “falsely claims unfettered discretion” to investigate U.S. nationals and allies.
“These four individuals have actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel,” Rubio said.
The ICC, a global court prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, issued arrest warrants last year for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, though Hamas later confirmed his death in an airstrike.
The judges cited “reasonable grounds” that the three men bore ”criminal responsibility” for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Both Israel and Hamas have rejected the allegations.
in February, then-President Donald Trump imposed economic sanctions against the ICC, including its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, accusing the court of “abusing its power.”
The State Department said Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza authorized the ICC’s inquiry against U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Alapini gansou and Hohler ruled to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant.
what’s next
The sanctions are likely to further strain relations between the U.S. and the ICC, potentially impacting future investigations and international cooperation on war crimes and human rights issues.