"The International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to take political actions targeting Israel, setting a dangerous precedent for all nations. We will not tolerate the ICC's abuse of power, its violation of US and Israeli sovereignty, or its wrongful assertion of jurisdiction over US and Israeli citizens," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on 18/12.

Rubio accused judges Gocha Lordkipanidze and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of participating in "the ICC's efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli citizens without Israel's consent".

Judges Gocha Lordkipanidze (left) and Erdenebalsuren Damdin. Photo: ICC

Judges Gocha Lordkipanidze (left) and Erdenebalsuren Damdin. Photo: ICC

The US Department of State announced it would impose sanctions on the two judges, including measures to prohibit their entry into the US and freeze all their assets or interests in the country.

The ICC has not yet responded to the announcement.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar praised the US Department of State's action, thanking his counterpart Rubio for demonstrating a "clear moral stance".

In June, the US Secretary of State also announced sanctions against 4 ICC judges after the body issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant. This move was also in response to the ICC judges' participation in a session that allowed for an investigation into allegations of US forces committing war crimes during the war in Afghanistan.

The ICC was established in 2002 and is headquartered in the Netherlands. It serves as a permanent court to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The US is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC.

Ngoc Anh (According to Politico, AP, Reuters)