THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is struggling to function after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan. Since February, Khan has been cut off from his official email, had his bank accounts frozen, and American staffers face the risk of arrest if they travel to the United States.
These sanctions have severely disrupted the court’s operations. Several NGOs have ceased cooperation with the ICC, and some leaders have stopped responding to emails from court officials. This has cast doubt on the tribunal’s ability to carry out its mandate.
The sanctions followed ICC judges’ issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes tied to Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza—a charge Israel denies.
Liz Evenson, director of international justice at Human Rights Watch, said the sanctions block victims’ access to justice. The ICC’s difficulties extend beyond the Israel case, also affecting investigations into atrocities in Sudan. ICC prosecutor Eric Iverson’s lawyer has filed a lawsuit seeking relief from sanctions that impede even basic legal work.
American staff members have been warned they could face arrest if they return to the U.S., prompting six senior officials to resign. Contractors and NGOs have scaled back their support out of fear of U.S. reprisals. Microsoft canceled Khan’s email account, forcing him to switch to a Swiss provider, and his UK bank accounts remain blocked.
Trump, a strong Netanyahu ally, called the ICC’s actions “illegitimate” and said they threaten U.S. sovereignty and national security. The White House declined to comment. Netanyahu dismissed the charges as “absurd,” and Israel’s parliament is considering legislation criminalizing cooperation with the ICC.
The court depends on member states to enforce its warrants, but recently three countries, including two EU members, have refused to comply. Judges have also prohibited Khan from publicly disclosing certain warrant requests.
Meanwhile, Khan faces a UN investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denies. The accusations include harassment of a female aide and retaliation against staff who supported her.
Amid these sanctions and internal controversies, ICC staff question whether the tribunal can survive the political pressures and challenges of the current U.S. administration.