The US has imposed sanctions on two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia, over their involvement in the court's decision to proceed with cases involving Israeli nationals.
This move is part of the US's broader stance against the ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sanctions are in response to the ICC's "illegitimate targeting of Israel" and that the US will continue to impose consequences for what it sees as judicial overreach.
The ICC has condemned the sanctions as a "flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution "
The ICC's investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza has been ongoing, with the court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024.
The US, which is not a member of the ICC, has argued that the court has exceeded its jurisdiction by investigating US and Israeli citizens.
The sanctions ban the judges from entering the US and block property or financial transactions with them in the world's largest economy.
This is the latest move in the US's pressure campaign against the ICC, with previous sanctions imposed on other judges and prosecutors.
