Germany criticizes Trump's sanctions on International Criminal Court
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his dissatisfaction with U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). These sanctions are a response to the court's actions involving the authorities of Israel.
Scholz commented on the situation during an election campaign in Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg.
"I do not consider imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court to be appropriate," said Scholz, emphasizing that although there may be disputes over various issues, sanctions are the "wrong tool" to use.
He added that such actions threaten an institution whose goal is to ensure that dictators cannot persecute people and start wars with impunity.
Germany supports the ICC
A spokesman for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs also addressed the situation, noting that Germany will continue to support the ICC despite the uncertainty over the consequences of the sanctions imposed by Trump.
President Trump signed an order implementing financial and visa sanctions on the ICC and individuals supporting this institution. The court has been accused by the U.S. of "illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel."
The order bans ICC staff and collaborators, their relatives, and those assisting with the court's investigations from entering the U.S., and it also provides for the freezing of their assets in the U.S.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza Strip war.
