The United States has announced sanctions against four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing concerns over the ICC's actions against the U.S. and Israel. The Department of State stated that these measures are in response to what it describes as the ICC's politicization and abuse of power.
The sanctions, enacted under Executive Order 14203, target foreign individuals involved in specific ICC activities that impact U.S. and Israeli interests. The judges affected by these sanctions are Solomy Balungi Bossa, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou, and Beti Hohler.
According to the Department of State, Judges Bossa and Ibanez Carranza were involved in authorizing an ICC investigation into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Judges Alapini Gansou and Hohler authorized arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
As a result of these sanctions, all property and interests belonging to these individuals within the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked. Additionally, entities owned 50 percent or more by any blocked person are also subject to blocking measures.
Transactions involving blocked persons' property are prohibited unless authorized by a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These prohibitions extend to contributions or provisions of funds, goods, or services involving blocked individuals.
Petitions for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List can be submitted via email to OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov or through guidance available on the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.
