In a striking move, the United States has taken punitive action against three Palestinian organizations for their role in pushing the International Criminal Court to target Israeli nationals.
According to Breitbart, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, the U.S. announced sanctions against Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights for their efforts to involve the ICC in actions against Israelis without Israel's approval.
These sanctions stem from a long-standing U.S. policy opposing the jurisdiction of the ICC over countries that are not signatories to the Rome Statute.
Neither the United States nor Israel is a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. Consequently, both nations maintain that the court has no authority over their citizens or actions. The U.S. views the ICC's attempts to exert influence over non-signatory states as an infringement on national independence.
The sanctions against the Palestinian NGOs were enacted under Executive Order 14203, specifically citing a section that addresses ICC-related overreach. According to U.S. officials, these organizations have actively sought to use the court to investigate or prosecute Israeli individuals. This action is seen as a direct violation of U.S. policy, which prohibits such moves without Israel's consent.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly designated the three NGOs—Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights—as targets of these sanctions. He emphasized the administration's position on the matter, underscoring the lack of ICC legitimacy over non-members. Rubio stated, "Today, I am designating three foreign NGOs—Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan), and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)—pursuant to Executive Order 14203, 'Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.'"
He further elaborated, "These entities have directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent." In another statement, Rubio clarified the broader U.S. perspective on the issue. He said, "This administration has been clear: the United States and Israel are not party to the Rome Statute and are therefore not subject to the ICC’s authority."
Rubio continued, "We oppose the ICC’s politicized agenda, overreach, and disregard for the sovereignty of the United States and that of our allies." He added, "The ongoing actions of the ICC set a dangerous precedent for all nations and we will actively oppose actions that threaten our national interests and infringe on the sovereignty of the United States and our allies, including Israel." The U.S. has consistently expressed concern over the ICC's approach, viewing it as a potential threat to all sovereign states.
Rubio also affirmed, "The United States will continue to respond with significant and tangible consequences to protect our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s disregard for sovereignty, and to punish entities that are complicit in its overreach." This statement reflects a broader commitment to safeguarding national and allied interests. The U.S. has a history of taking strong measures when it perceives threats from international bodies like the ICC.
During his first term, President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC, citing similar concerns over sovereignty. Those measures were later lifted by former President Joe Biden, though he maintained the U.S. position against ICC jurisdiction over non-members. Biden's decision to remove sanctions coincided with ICC actions against Israeli leaders, which the U.S. criticized as unjust.
The U.S. noted that the ICC's pursuit of Israeli officials came at a time when the court's chief prosecutor faced allegations of misconduct. This raised additional questions about the credibility of the ICC's processes and decisions. The U.S. continues to view such actions as undermining the independence of nations not bound by the Rome Statute.
Under U.S. policy, Palestinians are restricted from using international platforms to act against Israel. The expectation is that peace negotiations should occur directly between the two parties. This principle underpins the recent sanctions against the Palestinian NGOs for their ICC involvement.
The U.S. stance is not only about protecting Israel but also about defending its own autonomy. American officials argue that ICC overreach could set a precedent affecting any nation outside the court's formal membership. This concern drives the strong response to entities seen as facilitating such overreach.
The sanctions on these Palestinian groups signal a firm U.S. commitment to countering ICC influence. However, the long-term impact of these measures on international relations is yet to be seen. The U.S. remains vigilant, prepared to act further if similar challenges arise.