In 2024 the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant [Getty]
The Dutch parliament has passed a motion to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) from US sanctions following threats from the new Trump administration.
The motion, which passed on Thursday, called on the Netherlands’ government to take national measures and work with the EU to minimise the impact of proposed US sanctions on the court’s independence and its ability to function.
First signed by MP Kati Piri and co-signed by six other legislators, the motion passed 99-51, with opposition coming from right political movements such as the Party for Freedom (PVV) and the Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB), both of whom are coalition members.
The motion’s passing comes as the ICC, based in the Dutch city of The Hague, said on Thursday it was “deeply concerned” over the potential US penalties against the court and its staff.
“Sanctions severely hamper ongoing investigations in all situations and other activities of the Court and affect the safety of victims, witnesses and sanctioned individuals,” the ICC said in a statement.
“We stress the importance of the International Criminal Court in defending international justice and call on all States, international organisations and civil society to respect its independence and impartiality.”
The Dutch parliamentary motion and statement from the ICC come as Washington continues its threats against the court as part of backlash over the issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
The war has killed at least 47,283 people, although thousands more are believed to be under rubble and unaccounted for, while many more have died indirectly from hunger, disease, and medical issues.
The US House of Representatives passed a motion to sanction individuals working for the ICC 243-140 on 9 January and is now set to be deliberated in the Senate.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Monday reversed an executive order from Joe Biden’s administration that renewed sanctions against the ICC over its probe of US soldiers’ conduct in Afghanistan.
Biden’s executive order reversed a Trump order from 2020 that initially put in place the sanctions.
