US State Department Imposes Sanctions on Two International Criminal Court Members, Who Reject Them

SadaNews - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday evening that the United States has imposed sanctions on two judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) who rejected an appeal filed by Israel against the measures taken against it.

The US State Department clarified that judges Goch'a Lordkipanidze from Georgia and Ardenbilsorn Damdin from Mongolia were directly responsible for legal actions against Israelis.

The sanctions were imposed under a presidential order that authorizes punishment of the court for its activities against the United States and its allies.

Rubio noted that the judges participated in a majority vote against an appeal filed by Israel on December 15, as part of the proceedings related to the arrest warrants issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Rubio stated: "The ICC continues to engage in deliberate political acts against Israel, setting a dangerous precedent for all nations. The United States and Israel are not parties to the Rome Statute, and thus we reject the court's jurisdiction. We will continue to respond with severe consequences to this abuse of power."

The sanctions include freezing US assets and banning transactions with the judges.

Meanwhile, the ICC expressed its rejection of these sanctions, considering them a blatant attack on the independence of a neutral judicial institution.

It stated: "Measures targeting judges and prosecutors elected to the court by state parties undermine the rule of law."

It added: "The court will continue its work with all partners to ensure the effective and independent implementation of its mandate."