The International Criminal Court (ICC) has vowed to continue its judicial work after US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose sanctions on its staff.
The ICC said it stands firmly by its personnel and would continue to provide justice and hope, adding the order seeks to harm its independent and impartial work.
Trump’s order accuses it of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”.
Last November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander.
“The ICC condemns the issuance by the US of an executive order seeking to impose sanctions on its officials and harm its independent and impartial judicial work.
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“The court stands firmly by its personnel and pledges to continue providing justice and hope to millions of innocent victims of atrocities across the world, in all situations before it.”
Trump signed the measure as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington.
The sanctions place financial and visa restrictions on individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations of American citizens or allies.
The ICC is a global court with the power to bring prosecutions for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
