**US Sanctions ICC Judges Over Probes into Israel and American Actions**

In a recent move that has sparked global debate, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared sanctions against four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, accusing them of wrongful targeting of Israel and the United States. This decision comes in the wake of the ICC's arrest warrants for prominent Israeli figures, including former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and an ongoing investigation into alleged US war crimes in Afghanistan.

The judges affected by the sanctions are Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. These sanctions are designed to freeze any property and interests these judges have within the United States, requiring that these assets be reported to the US Treasury Department.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude towards Secretary Rubio and President Donald Trump for their direct intervention, asserting that the US had "stood up for the right of Israel." Rubio characterized the actions of the ICC as "illegitimate and baseless," claiming that the court has unjustly targeted the United States and its allies, including Israel. He further accused the ICC of overstepping its authority, thus infringing upon the sovereignty and national security of the involved nations.

In response, the ICC firmly condemned the sanctions, stating that such measures are "a clear attempt to undermine" the court's independence. The ICC reaffirmed its commitment to continue its work undeterred and emphasized that retaliating against its staff does not aid civilians caught in conflict. The court argued that the sanctions not only affect the designated individuals but also undermine all supporters of the ICC and ultimately, harm innocent victims involved in its proceedings.

The ICC, a globally recognized institution with jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, has been criticized previously by the Trump administration. Last year, it issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu, former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif—who was later confirmed killed in an airstrike—for alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC stated it had "reasonable grounds" to believe that the individuals bore "criminal responsibility" for these atrocities amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Earlier this year, President Trump had already imposed economic sanctions on the ICC, specifically targeting the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, labeling the court's actions as an abuse of power. This latest development underscores ongoing tensions between the US and the ICC over jurisdictional reach and accountability.