The International Criminal Court (ICC) has responded defiantly to US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose punitive sanctions on its officials, declaring that it will continue its work despite the political and financial pressure. The move, which came after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, has sparked international condemnation and raised concerns about the politicization of international justice.

The ICC was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression. Although 125 nations are parties to the treaty, several major countries-including the United States, Israel, Russia, China, and India-do not recognize its jurisdiction, arguing that it infringes upon their sovereignty.

While the court lacks the enforcement power of a sovereign state, it relies on international cooperation to carry out its mandates. Historically, the ICC has prosecuted individuals from African nations, but its recent focus on alleged war crimes involving Israel and the United States has heightened tensions with Washington and Tel Aviv.

On February 6, President Trump signed an executive order imposing financial and visa-related sanctions on ICC officials involved in investigating U.S. or allied citizens. The sanctions extend to family members and individuals who support such investigations, effectively limiting the ICC’s operational capabilities.

The order explicitly criticized the ICC’s actions, stating that the court had “set a dangerous precedent” by targeting US nationals and Israeli leaders. Trump accused the ICC of abusing its power, particularly in issuing arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant for allegedly using starvation as a........

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