(Adnkronos) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced sanctions against two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing them of “illegitimate harassment” against Israel. Haaretz reports that the measures target Gocha Lordkipanidze, a Georgian citizen, and Erdenebalsuren Damdin, of Mongolian nationality.
According to Rubio, the two judges were directly involved in the ICC’s efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli citizens without Israel’s consent. In particular, the Secretary of State cited their vote in favor of the Court’s December 15 decision, which rejected the appeal filed by Israel.
“Today I designate these individuals pursuant to Executive Order 14203, which imposes sanctions on the International Criminal Court,” Rubio stated, accusing the ICC of pursuing “politicized actions” and creating “a dangerous precedent.” The head of US diplomacy reiterated that the United States and Israel do not adhere to the Rome Statute and do not recognize the Court’s jurisdiction, warning that Washington will react with “significant and concrete consequences” to any further initiative deemed an abuse of power.
