Tel Aviv, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the International Criminal Court or ICC after the United States imposed sanctions on two of its top members.
On his X, Netanyahu described the ICC as a “kangaroo court,” accusing it of abusing its authority while claiming to uphold international law.
He praised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for leading Washington’s efforts against what Israel considers the court’s overreach.
Washington has been increasing pressure on the tribunal, particularly over its investigations involving ally Israel.
Rubio recently announced sanctions against ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and Senior Trial Lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal as part of its last month campaign to pressure the international tribunal.
Rubio said the two officials were involved in efforts to investigate, arrest, detain or prosecute officials from countries that do not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.
It can be recalled that the ICC in 2024 previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza since October 2023 where over 70,000 Palestinian were killed.
Seye was part of the prosecution team that sought an arrest warrant against Netanyahu.
The United Nations Human Rights
meanwhile described the sanction as unacceptable, appealing for the lifting of sanctions.
Japan also backs the ICC, describing the sanctions as very unfortunate.