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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have strongly condemned the United States government for imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) judges. These measures were reportedly triggered by the ICC’s investigation into alleged war crimes in Gaza and the issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
According to the EFF, the US is punishing the court for holding Israel accountable under international law — a move the party says sets a dangerous precedent.
What the EFF says happened
- The US extended sanctions on ICC judges probing Israel’s conduct in Gaza
- Judges were penalised for upholding arrest warrants against Israeli leaders
- The EFF says this undermines international law and shields allies from justice
- The Trump administration is accused of protecting Israel from prosecution
- The party believes the ICC is finally confronting powerful nations fairly
ICC probe and context
| Issue | EFF Statement Summary |
|---|---|
| US Role | Imposing sanctions to interfere with ICC investigations into Gaza |
| Targeted Judges | Penalised for not halting arrest warrants against Israeli leaders |
| EFF Position | Condemns sanctions as judicial interference and abuse of power |
| ICC Action | Investigating war crimes in Gaza, including mass civilian deaths |
| Global Impact | Undermines rule of law, enables impunity, and weakens multilateral institutions |
Why this matters
The EFF warns that this behaviour threatens global peace, justice, and the independence of international courts. They highlight:
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- A pattern of bias against Global South nations at the ICC
- Historical protection of Western allies like Israel by powerful nations
- The destruction in Gaza as morally indefensible and well-documented
- A need for the world to reject systems that exempt powerful states from justice
Call to action
The EFF urges:
- Global isolation of the US for undermining international courts
- Democratic governments to defend the ICC’s independence
- Justice for victims in Gaza and accountability for all war crimes
