Trump Administration Sanctions Two More ICC Judges Over Israel War Crimes Probe
Subheading: U.S. takes action over court’s investigation into possible Israeli violations during Gaza war; ICC condemns “clear attack” on judicial independence.
WASHINGTON, 19 Dec 2025 (BNN Web Staff) :
The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on two more judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the court’s role in investigating possible war crimes by Israeli officials during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
The Action:
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Thursday that he had designated Georgia’s Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze and Mongolia’s Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin for sanctions. These measures can include freezing any assets they hold under U.S. jurisdiction and imposing travel bans to the United States.
Reasoning Behind the Move:
The U.S. took this action due to the judges’ involvement in proceedings against Israel. These two judges are the latest in a series of ICC judges and staff members targeted by the Trump administration for authorizing or advancing criminal complaints concerning Israel and the United States. The Republican administration had previously sanctioned the ICC’s former chief prosecutor and nine judicial and support staff members, including lawyers and investigators.
In a statement, Secretary Pompeo said, “The ICC has continued to engage in politically motivated actions against Israel, which sets a dangerous precedent for all nations.” He added, “We will not tolerate the ICC’s misuse of power that violates the sovereignty of the United States and Israel and wrongly subjects American and Israeli persons to the court’s jurisdiction.”
ICC’s Strong Condemnation:
The Hague-based ICC responded immediately to the announcement. In a statement, it said it “strongly condemns” this move. “These sanctions are a clear attack on the independence of an impartial judicial institution, which works in accordance with the mandate given to it by its member states from various regions,” the court stated. It further argued that “intimidating judges and prosecutors to enforce the law undermines the rule of law. When judicial officials are threatened for applying the law, the international legal system itself is put at risk.”
The ICC affirmed that the court will continue its mandate with “independence and impartiality.”
Background Context:
This action by the Trump administration follows a decision last year by a panel of ICC judges to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu had condemned the warrants against him, stating that Israel “rejects with disgust” the court’s “absurd and false” actions. Gallant said the decision “sets a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes the right to self-defense and a moral war, and encourages murderous terrorism.”
