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The ICC has international arrest warrants out for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity
(Photos: Piroschka van de Wouw/File Photo/Reuters, Chaim Goldberg/ Flash 90)
The U.S. Treasury and State Departments announced sanctions on Judge Nicolas Yann Guillou of France, Judge Kimberly Prost of Canada, Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Prosecutor Mame Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal. Guillou chaired the panel that approved the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. According to Washington, Khan and Niang are being punished for their stance toward Israel, while Prost is sanctioned for authorizing an investigation into U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.
“Prost is sanctioned for authorizing the ICC to investigate U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Guillou is sanctioned for approving arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Khan and Niang are sanctioned for continuing to support the ICC’s unlawful actions against Israel, including the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant," a statement read.
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US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House
(Photo: Saul Loeb / AFP)
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets belonging to the four officials and cut them off from the American financial system. The move comes less than three months after Washington imposed sanctions on four other ICC judges, accusing them of illegitimate and unfounded actions against the United States and Israel.
Netanyahu welcomed the decision: "I congratulate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for deciding to impose sanctions on the judges of the International Court in The Hague. This is a firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign against the State of Israel and the IDF, and for truth and justice."
