Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The Palestinian orginizations all played key roles in submitting evidence for the ICC, prompting an arrest warrent on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian orginizations all played key roles in submitting evidence for the ICC, prompting an arrest warrent on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
What is happening?
The United States has imposed sanctions on three Palestinian human rights organizations that urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel for alleged genocide in Gaza.
The groups involved have been central to legal efforts pushing for international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions during the ongoing conflict.
Targeted organizations linked to ICC case
The sanctioned organizations include the Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, as well as the Ramallah-based Al-Haq.
All three played a key role in submitting evidence to the ICC in November 2023, calling for an investigation into Israeli airstrikes, the blockade of Gaza, and the displacement of civilians.
ICC responds with arrest warrants
Nearly a year after the Palestinian groups’ submission, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and senior Hamas figure Ibrahim al-Masri.
They face charges of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
A history of U.S. opposition to the ICC
The U.S. has long been critical of the ICC, particularly when its actions target American or allied officials.
Under President Donald Trump, sanctions were imposed on ICC judges and its then-chief prosecutor in response to probes involving both Israel and alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan.
Washington does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.
ICC’s global reach and limited membership
Founded in 2002, the ICC has the authority to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide—but only in its 125 member states.
Key global powers including the United States, China, Russia, and Israel do not recognize its legal authority, significantly limiting the court’s reach in politically sensitive cases.
Sanctions follow genocide scholar resolution
The sanctions come just days after the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the largest body of its kind, passed a resolution asserting that Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the legal definition of genocide.
The decision added momentum to growing international concern over the scale and severity of the war’s impact on civilians.
Israel dismisses genocide accusations
In response to the genocide resolution, Israel called the claim “disgraceful” and accused the association of falling for “Hamas’ campaign of lies.”
Israeli officials continue to reject international legal efforts to hold its leaders accountable, framing them as politically biased and disconnected from the complexities of the conflict.
The war’s origins
The latest war began in October 2023, after Hamas fighters launched a surprise assault on southern Israel. The attack killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 250 hostages, who were taken into Gaza.
Israel’s military launched a full-scale offensive in response, targeting Hamas but also causing widespread devastation.
Humanitarian crisis escalates
Since the war began, Israeli military operations have reportedly killed 63,000 people in Gaza.
Nearly every resident has been displaced at least once, and the territory is now grappling with extreme food shortages.
A global hunger monitoring agency has classified parts of Gaza as being in famine conditions.
