Symbolic imagePillay calls US sanctions on ICC unacceptable as allies object
Nobel laureate Navi Pillay called the US sanctions on the entire International Criminal Court unacceptable on Saturday. Japan and the Netherlands also object.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Friday, 9 October, hours after Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking by video from Nuremberg on Saturday, Pillay said sanctions against judges over their rulings are unheard of. Rubio calls the court "rogue" and wants to cut off its resources. A six-month grace period applies; Le Monde reports it ends on 9 April 2027 unless the ICC annuls the Netanyahu warrants and drops the Afghanistan and CIA inquiries.
Allies object
Seven countries including Germany, France, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK said they "strongly disagree". Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen says the EU could use its blocking regulation as a last resort and will discuss the issue with European counterparts on Monday.
Trump attacks Norway over prize
On Saturday Trump wrote on Truth Social that the award left an "indelible stain" on Norway's reputation.
Other opinions
Tehran Times says the sanctions shield American and Israeli officials from prosecution; it reports that Netanyahu thanked Washington.