General

This French judge approved Netanyahu’s arrest warrant. Now Trump is targeting him | Owen Jones

In a striking development within international law and diplomacy, three judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), including French judge Nicolas Guillou, have been sanctioned by the United States, placing them on a list typically reserved for terrorists and serious criminals. This unprecedented move follows their approval of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Mohammed Deif, the former commander of Hamas’s military wing. The U.S. government condemned the judges’ actions as “illegitimate and baseless,” arguing that they unjustly target America and its close ally, Israel. The sanctions, which came into effect in June, have severely impacted Guillou’s daily life, restricting his ability to engage in basic activities like online shopping and banking, as he now finds himself blacklisted by much of the global financial system.

The sanctions against Guillou and his fellow judges highlight a broader narrative about the so-called “rules-based order” that the West claims to uphold. Critics argue that the U.S. response to the ICC’s warrant reflects a troubling trend of prioritizing geopolitical interests over the principles of international justice. By placing these judges alongside notorious figures such as al-Qaida terrorists and drug cartels, the U.S. is sending a clear message: dissent against its allies, particularly in sensitive geopolitical contexts like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, will not be tolerated. This case serves as a poignant example of the complexities and contradictions inherent in international law, as well as the potential repercussions for those who challenge powerful nations. As the global landscape continues to evolve, the implications of such actions could reverberate far beyond the immediate circumstances, raising critical questions about the future of international justice and accountability.