Since September 4, Palestinian human rights NGOs cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been subject to US sanctions. Al-Haq, Al-Mezan, and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights have been penalized by the Trump administration for "their engagement" with the ICC, which, according to Washington, "illegitimately" targets Israel.

In a statement, Secretary of State Marc Rubio condemned "the ICC's politicized agenda," and vowed to continue. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called the Court's actions a "politicized crusade," and welcomed the "moral" decision by the United States.

This has amounted to a slow war of attrition. Since February 6, when a sweeping executive order was adopted banning any cooperation with International Criminal Court proceedings targeting Americans or their Israeli allies, the United States has steadily imposed punishment. On February 13, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was targeted, followed over months by his two deputies and six judges. Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, was also sanctioned.

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