Al Jazeera
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has reiterated European backing for the International Criminal Court, after the US slapped sanctions on four judges it accuses of “illegitimate and baseless actions” against Washington and its allies, including Israel.
“The Commission fully supports the [ICC and] its officials. The ICC holds perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account [and] gives victims a voice,” the European Commission chief posted on X.
“It must be free to act without pressure. We will always stand for global justice [and] the respect of international law.”
On Thursday, the Trump administration followed through on a threat to sanction officials associated with the court, issuing sanctions against four judges.
Two of the judges, Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, were sanctioned for their role in the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, according to the US State Department.
“The Commission fully supports the [ICC and] its officials. The ICC holds perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account [and] gives victims a voice,” the European Commission chief posted on X.
“It must be free to act without pressure. We will always stand for global justice [and] the respect of international law.”
On Thursday, the Trump administration followed through on a threat to sanction officials associated with the court, issuing sanctions against four judges.
Two of the judges, Reine Alapini-Gansou of Benin and Beti Hohler of Slovenia, were sanctioned for their role in the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November, according to the US State Department.
