Why Would America Impose Sanctions On the ICC?

The International Criminal Court (ICC) indicted Bibi Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, and a handful of Hamas leaders, most of whom are now dead.

The UN-created court has no jurisdiction over the Gaza War or any of the parties involved. The ICC is not really a court; it’s a political arm of the UN.

What the UN and ICC are attempting to do through ICC indictments and warrants is to assert jurisdiction and authority over other nations and their citizens, even where international law and their own rules say they have none at all.

As the respected Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) explains:

“Ordinary citizens can’t simply pick and choose the laws that apply to them. Imagine someone agreeing not to commit murder but saying laws about robbery don’t apply to them. International law, on the other hand, is based on voluntary buy-in. That means countries get to choose the laws that apply to them. If a government refuses to follow the latest climate accord, there’s little anyone else can do to hold that government accountable….. Countries do not follow certain international laws for several reasons. Sometimes governments believe that international laws clash with their national interests. … Few, if any, instances exist in which a country would sacrifice its national interest to abide by international laws.”

From International Institutions & Global Governance , “What is International Law?” updated July 25, 2023),