Senseless retribution

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump made headlines by reinstating sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC)—essentially a revival of a controversial policy from his first term.

- SANDIP BANERJEE

These sanctions, originally imposed in 2020, target ICC officials investigating potential war crimes involving US personnel and allies. The move is a sharp reversal of the Biden administration’s decision to lift these measures. It signals a renewed hostility of the new US administration towards the court. This decision has to be seen against the background of the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations of war crimes during the Gaza conflict. The court has accused Israeli officials of deliberately depriving Palestinian civilians of essential aid, which Israel has vehemently denied. The US House of Representatives has now supported sanctions against the ICC—reflecting a clear alignment with Israel and its leadership.