The International Criminal Court (ICC) is bracing itself for President Donald Trump to launch aggressive economic sanctions against it this week after his inauguration. This possible move has incited fear which could paralyze its work and pose a major threat.
ICC officials are preparing for Trump’s new US administration to act quickly once in office to impose draconian financial and travel restrictions against the court and senior staff, including its chief prosecutor and judges.
The threat of US sanctions has loomed over the ICC since it issued arrest warrants in November against the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
ICC sources said that sanctions against senior court figures would be difficult but manageable, whereas institution-wide sanctions would pose an existential threat to the court as they would block its access to services it depends on to function.
Court authorities are understood to have been rapidly reviewing the ICC’s suppliers and have ended some commercial relationships in an effort to reduce its exposure. Some staff have been advised to consider closing any U.S. bank accounts they hold.
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