Newsletters
The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday that it has sanctioned Judges Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia for their role in the ongoing investigation into war crimes in Gaza allegedly committed by the Israeli army.
According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both judges voted in favor of rejecting Israel’s appeal to halt the court’s investigation and to cancel arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In a written statement, Rubio said these judges had "directly engaged" in ICC efforts to prosecute Israeli nationals and called the court’s actions "politicized."
In response to the U.S. sanctions, the ICC issued a statement condemning the decision, describing it as a "flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution."
"These additional designations follow the earlier designation of nine elected officials of the Judiciary and the Office of the Prosecutor, drawn from all regional groups," the court said.
The ICC emphasized that its judges and prosecutors are elected by States Parties under the Rome Statute and warned that targeting them undermines the international legal order. It also stated that "when judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk."
The court reaffirmed its commitment to continue its work "with independence and impartiality," and thanked States Parties and civil society for their support.
The ICC’s ongoing investigation centers on actions taken in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent Israeli military operations. The court’s appeals chamber ruled on December 15 that its probe is legally valid under a 2021 notification previously sent to Israel, rejecting the need for additional procedural steps.
Although Israel and the United States are not parties to the Rome Statute, the ICC claims jurisdiction over Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, based on Palestine’s membership since 2015.
Prosecutor Karim Khan has requested arrest warrants against both Israeli and Hamas officials, citing evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court has said it will proceed based on the evidence and jurisdiction granted by the treaty framework.
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
