Trump Admits US Sanctions on ICC Aim to Protect Netanyahu, Not Himself

US President Donald Trump acknowledged on Friday that the sanctions his administration imposed on senior officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague were primarily intended to protect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than American interests or officials. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated, "There is no information that they are after me. It might happen in the future, but the steps we took were not to protect me, they were to protect Bibi and others."

This admission came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a significant development: five countries have informed the United States of their intention to withdraw from the ICC in response to the American measures against the court. Rubio did not specify which countries were involved, but the announcement highlights the considerable impact of US actions on the international judicial system.

The ICC had issued arrest warrants in November 2024 against Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. The United States swiftly responded by imposing severe sanctions on ICC officials, including asset freezes and travel bans to the US.

This controversy underscores the tension between the US and the ICC, as well as the broader geopolitical implications surrounding Israel and international law enforcement.