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EU Backs International Criminal Court After New U.S. Sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa, have voiced strong support for the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed new sanctions on senior court officials. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sanctioned ICC President Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, accusing the court of targeting officials from countries that do not recognise its jurisdiction. The sanctions come amid the ICC's pursuit of Israeli officials over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC and denies allegations of war crimes, welcomed Washington's move and accused the court of abusing its power. In a joint statement posted on X, von der Leyen and Costa said they stood firmly with the ICC, Akane and officials carrying out the court's mission. Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera called the U.S. sanctions "profoundly sad and unfair.” Germany and the Netherlands also backed the ICC, with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen inviting Akane to The Hague for talks on continued Dutch support. The ICC condemned the sanctions as a "flagrant attack" on its independence, warning that targeting judges and prosecutors for carrying out their work undermined the rule of law.
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