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Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing it of “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the United States and its allies, including Israel.
The move follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel vehemently denies.
The executive order imposes financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist the ICC in investigations concerning American citizens or allies.
Trump signed the measure while Netanyahu was in Washington for high-level discussions with U.S. officials.
Sanctions and International Reactions
The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, expressed “regret” over Trump’s decision. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp defended the court’s work, stating on social media platform X that the ICC plays a vital role in “the fight against impunity.”
A White House memo circulated on Thursday accused the ICC of drawing a “shameful moral equivalency” between Hamas and Israel by issuing warrants for Netanyahu and a Hamas commander simultaneously.
Trump’s order argues that the court’s actions set a “dangerous precedent” that could expose American officials to prosecution abroad.
“The ICC’s malign conduct threatens the sovereignty of the United States and undermines the national security and foreign policy interests of our government and our allies, including Israel,” the executive order reads.
The United States has never been a member of the ICC and has consistently rejected its jurisdiction over American personnel.
During his first term, Trump sanctioned ICC officials investigating alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan—measures later revoked by President Joe Biden.
Trump’s Gaza Proposal Sparks Controversy
Trump’s move against the ICC coincided with his unveiling of a controversial plan for Gaza’s future, proposing that the U.S. “take over” the Palestinian territory and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The proposal, announced during a joint press conference with Netanyahu, includes the mass resettlement of Gaza’s population, though details remain unclear.
After facing swift condemnation from Arab leaders and the United Nations, Trump doubled down on his plan via his Truth Social platform, stating that Israel would hand Gaza over to the U.S. at the end of the current ceasefire with Hamas.
While the proposal does not involve deploying American troops, it raises significant humanitarian and geopolitical concerns.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that any displacement of Palestinians would be “temporary.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this, stating that Gazans would leave for an “interim” period while reconstruction efforts took place.
Netanyahu’s Praise and Military Preparations
Netanyahu praised Trump’s vision for Gaza, calling it “remarkable,” while Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the military to prepare for the “voluntary departure” of Gaza’s residents. The plan reportedly includes evacuation via land, sea, and air.
During his Washington visit, Netanyahu also met with U.S. lawmakers and presented Trump with a golden pager—a symbolic reference to Israel’s 2023 military operation against Hezbollah, which used booby-trapped communication devices.
The developments underscore Trump’s continued alignment with Netanyahu’s administration as both leaders face international scrutiny over their policies in the Middle East.