Washington: US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) over its persecution of the US and its allies, including Israel.
“The United States will impose tangible and significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions, some of which may include the blocking of property and assets, as well as the suspension of entry into the United States of ICC officials, employees, and agents, as well as their immediate family members, as their entry into our Nation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States,” the order read.
The ICC’s “transgressions” include opening investigations against personnel from the US and its allies, including Israel, it added.
“The ICC has no jurisdiction over the United States or Israel, as neither country is party to the Rome Statute or a member of the ICC. Neither country has ever recognized the ICC’s jurisdiction, and both nations are thriving democracies with militaries that strictly adhere to the laws of war,” Trump said in the order.
The president also said that the court’s actions against the US and Israel “set a dangerous precedent” by exposing the countries’ personnel to “harassment, abuse, and possible arrest.”
