US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order sanctioning the International Criminal Court, accusing it of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”. Trump’s executive action regarding the ICC will add financial sanctions and travel restrictions against the organization’s officials in response to the arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, which it issued in May 2024 as a result of the Israel-Hamas war. The ICC is an international organization based in The Hague. It investigates and prosecutes those accused of war crimes, genocide, and other crimes against humanity. Last November, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies. The ICC also issued a warrant for a Hamas commander. ‘The U.S. will impose tangible & significant consequences on those responsible for the ICC’s transgressions,’ Trump’s order states. The warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was pushed by ICC official Karim Khan, who is from the U.K. If the PM was to visit any countries like France or the U.K., he could be arrested. Khan also put out warrants for top Hamas leaders who have since been killed. Netanyahu was in Washington, D.C., when Trump signed the order. He has met with Trump and other top U.S. officials all week, being the first foreign leader to visit the recently-inaugurated president. In addition to sanctioning the ICC Trump also signed an executive order to stand up a task force within the Department of Justice to eradicate ‘anti-Christian bias.’ Attorney General Pam Bondi will chair the task force and its membership will include Trump’s Cabinet members and other high-ranking officials deemed fit for the operation. These officials will be responsible for reviewing the activities of executive branch department actions under Joe Biden to identify policies and practices that may have been anti-Christian or illegal. The task force will collaborate with faith-based organizations and will develop strategies to protect religious liberties. It will also submit reports to the president on its findings, the first of which is due in 120 days. The post President Trump sanctions International Criminal Court for illegitimate and baseless charges against Israeli Prime MinisterNetanyahu appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
