Marco Rubio sanctions ICC for focusing on US and Israel

[ad_1] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has introduced his division will impose sanctions on 4 judges on the Worldwide Legal Court docket (ICC) for "illegitimate" focusing on of Israel and the US.

The sanctions are in response to the ICC issuing arrest warrants for high Israeli officers, together with Benjamin Netanyahu, and its investigation into alleged US battle crimes in Afghanistan.

The 4 judges named are all ladies: Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.

The ICC has responded in an announcement, saying it "deplores" the sanctions that are "a transparent try and undermine" its independence.

The measures require all property and pursuits owned by the judges within the US to be blocked and reported to the Treasury division.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Rubio and US President Donald Trump for the intervention, saying that they had "stood up for the best of Israel".

In a statement , Rubio accused the judges of "illegitimate and baseless actions" focusing on Israel and the US.

"These 4 people have actively engaged within the ICC's illegitimate and baseless actions focusing on America or our shut ally, Israel," he stated.

Rubio additionally described the ICC as "politicized" and stated it "falsely claims unfettered discretion" to research nationals of the US and its allies.

"This harmful assertion and abuse of energy infringes upon the sovereignty and nationwide safety of the USA and our allies, together with Israel."

In its response, the ICC stated it "stands totally behind its personnel" and can proceed its work "undeterred".

"Focusing on these working for accountability does nothing to assist civilians trapped in battle," the courtroom stated.

"These sanctions are usually not solely directed at designated people, in addition they goal all those that assist the Court docket... They're aimed in opposition to harmless victims in all Conditions earlier than the Court docket."

The ICC is a world courtroom with the ability to convey prosecutions for genocide, crimes in opposition to humanity and battle crimes.

Final yr, it issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israel's former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged battle crimes in Gaza.

An arrest warrant for Hamas navy chief Mohammed Deif was additionally issued however Hamas later confirmed he was killed in an airstrike final yr.

The judges stated there have been "cheap grounds" the three males bore "legal duty" for alleged battle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity within the battle between Israel and Hamas.

Each Israel and Hamas have rejected the allegations.

In February, President Trump imposed financial sanctions in opposition to the ICC, together with in opposition to its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, and stated the courtroom had "abused its energy".

In Thursday's announcement, the US state division stated two of the judges, Bossa and Ibáñez Carranza had authorised the ICC's investigation in opposition to US personnel in Afghanistan.