The European Union has voiced “deep regret” over Washington’s latest sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, following an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, condemning the attack and threats against the Hague-based tribunal as “unacceptable.”
“The EU once again deeply regrets the decision to impose sanctions on the two deputy Prosecutors and on two judges of the ICC. This decision may impact the functioning of the Office of the Prosecutor and ongoing investigations,” Kallas said in a statement on Sunday.
She voiced the EU’s “firm” support to the ICC, vowing further “support and contribution” to ensure the protection of the Court and its staff against external pressures or threats.
“Attacks or threats against the Court, elected officials, personnel and those cooperating with the Court are not acceptable. The ICC must be able to work independently and impartially,” the statement said.
Kallas called on all states to ensure “full cooperation” with the ICC, “including by the prompt execution of outstanding arrest warrants, and to enter into voluntary agreements.”
“We are monitoring the implications of the executive order and will assess possible further steps,” she added.
On August 20, the US State Department announced new sanctions on two judges and two prosecutors in the ICC for engaging in efforts to prosecute US and Israeli citizens.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the ICC of being a “national security threat” and “an instrument of lawfare” against the US and Israel.
The new sanctions target Kimberly Prost of Canada, Nicolas Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji, and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal.
The step marks the most recent example of a pressure campaign directed at the court that had previously issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, for war crimes and crimes against humanity over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
The court called the latest sanctions “a flagrant attack” on its independence and impartiality.
“They constitute also an affront against… the rules-based international order and, above all, millions of innocent victims across the world,” it added.
This latest round of sanctions comes after the US imposed similar restrictions on the ICC’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, along with four other judges earlier this year.
At least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 157,951 individuals have been injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza.