America has imposed sanctions on three main Palestinian NGOs, accusing them of supporting Worldwide Legal Court docket efforts to prosecute Israeli nationals.
The transfer is the newest in Washington’s effort to hobble the ICC, which has sought arrest warrants for Israeli officers over alleged conflict crimes in Gaza. The court docket has additionally pursued circumstances towards Hamas leaders.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday designated Al-Haq, Al Mezan Heart for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights beneath an govt order focusing on entities that help ICC investigations into Israel.
“These entities have immediately engaged in efforts by the Worldwide Legal Court docket to analyze, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, with out Israel’s consent,” Rubio stated.
America, Russia and Israel are among the many nations that reject the ICC.
“We oppose the ICC’s politicized agenda, overreach, and disrespect for the sovereignty of the US and that of our allies,” Rubio stated in a press release.
Final month, the US imposed sanctions on two ICC judges and two prosecutors, together with these from allies France and Canada. In June, Rubio sanctioned 4 judges from the court docket.
“America will proceed to reply with important and tangible penalties to guard our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s disregard for sovereignty,” Rubio warned.
Amnesty Worldwide condemned the US transfer as a “deeply troubling and shameful assault on human rights and the worldwide pursuit of justice.”
“These organizations perform very important and brave work, meticulously documenting human rights violations beneath essentially the most horrifying circumstances,” stated Erika Guevara-Rosas, a senior director at Amnesty.
She accused the Trump administration of in search of to “dismantle the very basis of worldwide justice and protect Israel from accountability for its crimes.”
The ICC’s prosecution alleges Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is liable for conflict crimes and crimes towards humanity in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, together with by deliberately focusing on civilians and utilizing hunger as a way of conflict.
Israel launched the large offensive in response to an unprecedented assault by Hamas towards Israel on October 7, 2023, wherein principally civilians had been killed.
The ICC has additionally sought the arrest of former Israeli protection minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, who has since been confirmed killed by Israel.