On February 7, 2025, seventy-nine member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a joint statement reaffirming their “unwavering support” for the court’s operations, emphasizing its role in ensuring accountability for serious international crimes and delivering justice for victims.

The joint statement was issued in response to an executive order signed by the U.S. President Donald Trump, authorizing sanctions against the ICC officials, including asset freezes and travel restrictions. The U.S. executive order specifically targets the court’s efforts to investigate and prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, whom the U.S. considers protected persons under the American Servicemembers’ Protection Act of 2002. The joint statement condemned the sanctions, warning that such measures “erode the international rule of law” by allowing alleged perpetrators of serious international crimes to escape from accountability.

This joint statement followed a similar declaration issued in December 2024, when ninety-three ICC member states expressed their support for the court in response to the U.S. congressional efforts to sanction the institution. In June 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill compelling the president to impose sanctions on the ICC for “investigating, detaining, or prosecuting” officials of U.S. allies.