US Sanctions Two ICC Judges in Gaza Probe Escalation

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two judges of the International Criminal Court, escalating its campaign against the tribunal's investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza. The measures target Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia, bringing the total number of sanctioned ICC judicial officials to 11 since the Trump administration expanded its policy earlier this year.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the designations under President Donald Trump's February executive order, which authorizes penalties against ICC personnel involved in probes targeting U.S. or allied nationals. Rubio stated that the two judges "have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel's consent," including their votes in favor of rejecting Israel's appeal on December 15 to halt the Gaza investigation. The State Department emphasized that neither the United States nor Israel recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction, as both nations are not parties to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the court.

The sanctions follow the ICC's rejection of Israel's bid to block a...