On June 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced the designations of four judges of the International Criminal Court (“ICC”) in connection with allegations that the judges took steps “to impose tangible and significant consequences on those directly engaged in the ICC’s transgressions against the United States and Israel.” The State Department reported that sanctions were imposed upon two judges who ruled to authorize an investigation into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and another two judges who ruled to authorize the issuance of arrest warrants targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
These designations were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14203, which was issued by President Trump on February 6, 2025 to sanction the ICC for pursuing baseless actions against America and its allies, including Israel, and abusing its power by issuing baseless arrest warrants for Israeli leaders under the Rome Statute. As a result of these designations, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within the United States or within the possession or control of a U.S. person are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving a designated person. Entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.