JERUSALEM / WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that he held discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which the top American diplomat reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to forcefully target and dismantle the influence of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
According to Netanyahu, Rubio assured him that the Trump administration would deploy all diplomatic and executive tools to counter the Hague-based tribunal, which issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The statement comes amidst a campaign spearheaded by Washington aimed at isolating the international judicial body.
Netanyahu Denounces ICC Jurisdiction
In his address referencing the call with Rubio, a visibly concerned Netanyahu launched a sharp attack against the international court, accusing it of undermining sovereign democratic states:
- Affirmation of U.S. Backing: Netanyahu stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “reaffirmed to me the United States’ intention to act forcefully against the International Criminal Court”.
- “Corrupt Clique” Accusation: The Israeli leader argued that the ICC “endangers justice around the world, and it also threatens the right of democratic, sovereign states to exercise their sovereignty,” asserting that the court seeks to subject national security decisions to “a corrupt clique in The Hague.”
- Rejection of Warrants: Both Israel and the United States maintain that the ICC possesses no legal jurisdiction over Israeli or American nationals, as neither nation is a signatory to the court’s founding Rome Statute.
U.S. “Brick by Brick” Campaign Against The Hague
The dialogue follows recent moves by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who outlined a whole-of-government strategy to dismantle the ICC:
U.S. ICC CAMPAIGN: Action plan to "dismantle the ICC brick by brick"
KEY MEASURES: Financial sanctions, visa revocations, and diplomatic pressure on allies
TARGETED OFFICIALS: ICC prosecutors, judges, and supporting institutions
CORE U.S. STANCE: Protecting U.S. and allied sovereignty against globalist overreach
Washington’s punitive measures against the tribunal have included targeted sanctions on ICC judges involved in issuing arrest warrants or investigating American and Israeli military personnel.
Global Reactions & Legal Standoff
While ICC President Tomoko Akane and international legal jurists have condemned the U.S. sanctions campaign as a direct assault on international law and judicial independence, the administration has signaled it will press forward with diplomatic pressure on member states to withdraw support or disregard ICC arrest mandates.
