US weighs sweeping sanctions on ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant

After the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the administration of US President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing large-scale sanctions against the ICC. The plan is said to target not a single official or judge of the court, but the entire institution directly.

Under the proposed sanctions, US citizens and companies could be barred from providing funds, goods or any service to the ICC without special permission. Within six to seven months, most transactions linked to the court could also face restrictions. This would directly affect the ICC's dollar transactions, banking, insurance, technology services and other financial facilities, potentially pushing the court into a major financial crisis.

The dispute dates back to November 2024, when the ICC issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and then Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The case relates to allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war. Netanyahu and Israel have flatly rejected these allegations, saying no humane values were violated during the war and that decisions were taken as the situation demanded.

Notably, neither the US nor Israel is a member of the ICC. Even so, Netanyahu faces entry restrictions or arrest warrants in several countries around the world, which has caused him considerable international embarrassment and further inflamed the matter.

The US has previously imposed sanctions on individual ICC judges and officials. Now, according to available information, preparations are underway to target the entire institution. A decision on this is expected during or after the United Nations General Assembly meeting. If the proposed sanctions come into force, they could significantly affect the ICC's day-to-day functioning and its investigations into war crimes.