U.S. authorities justify further sanctions imposed on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, asserting protection for American and Israeli sovereignty.

Pushing Back Against ICC Charges: A Look at Netanyahu's Sanctioned ICC Judges

Welcome, folks! Today, our senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot brings you a special report on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration didn't hold back when it hit the ICC where it hurts, slapping sanctions on four judges on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The sanctions came in response to allegations against Israel, including their PM, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Let's break it down, shall we? The targeted judges are:

Beti Hohler (Slovenia)
Reine Alapini-Gansou (Benin)
Solomy Balungi Bossa (Uganda)
Luz Del Carmen Ibañez Carranza (Peru)

These folks are now barred from entering the United States, and any assets they may have in the U.S. are blocked. This move was a direct response to the ICC's investigations into alleged war crimes involving Israel, including Netanyahu, particularly in relation to the Gaza offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

Now, let's talk about Netanyahu. The ICC issued arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing "reasonable grounds" for criminal responsibility, including the war crime of starvation. Israel's PM, Netanyahu, welcomed the U.S.'s actions, thanking the Trump administration.

But, be aware, the ICC has no police powers to enforce warrants. Instead, it relies on cooperation from its member states. That's why we reached out to the ICC for their side of the story.

It's crucial to remember that Israel isn't a member of the court. The ICC only steps in when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate.

This move from the Trump administration could have unexpected repercussions. The ICC already condemned the sanctions as a "clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution." If tensions continue to rise, diplomatic relations could be seriously weakened, potentially impacting international cooperation on justice issues.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds. In the meantime, feel free to drop us a line with your thoughts and feedback! And remember, we're always here to bring you the latest news from around the world.

Louis Casiano is a reporter for our website Digital. Share your story tips at [email protected].

The sanctions imposed by the Trump administration on four ICC judges, including Beti Hohler, Reine Alapini-Gansou, Solomy Balungi Bossa, and Luz Del Carmen Ibañez Carranza, were a response to the ICC's investigations into alleged war crimes involving Israel and its political leaders.
The ICC's investigations into Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are primarily in relation to the Gaza offensive following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, and they have issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing "reasonable grounds" for criminal responsibility.
The sanctions on the ICC judges could have unexpected repercussions, potentially leading to a weakening of diplomatic relations and impacting international cooperation on justice issues, as the ICC has already condemned the sanctions as a "clear attempt to undermine the independence of an international judicial institution."

U.S. authorities justify further sanctions imposed on four International Criminal Court (ICC) judges, asserting protection for American and Israeli sovereignty.