On Thursday, February 6, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order activating sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). Retaliation had been expected since an arrest warrant was issued on November 21, 2024, for crimes against humanity and war crimes against Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel's prime minister, a suspect and a fugitive in the eyes of the ICC, was able to conclude his visit to Washington by taking Trump's order with him as one would bring back a souvenir.

In a thank-you message full of superlatives, Netanyahu hailed on X a "bold" order to defend the US and Israel from "this anti-Semitic corrupt court." A further step in a war against the jurisdiction he had launched in mid-April 2024, after being informed of imminent arrest warrants against himself and his then-defense minister, Yoav Gallant. At the time, Netanyahu called on all governments to take action against the court, which he had accused of waging "a ruthless campaign against Israel."

Trump's executive order states that the US will impose "tangible and significant consequences" on those responsible for ICC "transgressions." For the moment, the list of those targeted has not been made public. Officials subject to economic sanctions will also be barred from entering the US, as will their immediate families. And anyone connected with the investigation into crimes committed in Gaza who "materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services" may also be sanctioned.

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