BRUSSELS, February 7, 2025 (WAFA) – The European Council Friday stressed that sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) undermines the criminal justice system.

"Sanctioning the ICC threatens the Court’s independence and undermines the international criminal justice system as a whole," President of the European Council Antonio Costa wrote on X.

Costa made his comments following a meeting with Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the ICC.

During the meeting, Costa praised the institution as it “plays an essential role in delivering justice to the victims of some of the world’s most horrific crimes.”

“Independence and impartiality are crucial characteristics of the Court’s work,” he posted on his X account.

He reiterated the EU’s commitment to “ending impunity and ensuring accountability for all violations of international law.”

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to sanction the ICC for targeting the United States and its ally Israel.

The order places financial and visa sanctions on unnamed individuals and their family members who assist in ICC investigations of US citizens or US allies.

The order comes after a visit to the White House by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza since October 2023.

K.F.