THE HAGUE — Nearly 80 countries reaffirmed their “unwavering support” for the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, a day after President Donald Trump authorized sweeping economic and travel sanctions against the court’s staff.
“We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC,” the group of 79 nations said in a joint statement.
“The court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes and justice for victims.”
The signatories represent roughly two-thirds of the ICC’s 125 member states, including France, Germany, and Britain. However, Australia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy did not sign the declaration.
The Hungarian government openly endorsed Trump’s decision, which came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu over Israel’s war in Gaza—a move that Trump has strongly condemned.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signaled full support for Trump’s sanctions, calling them part of a new era in global politics.
“It’s time for Hungary to review what we’re doing in an international organization that is under U.S. sanctions! New winds are blowing in international politics. We call it the Trump-tornado,” Orbán wrote on X.
The Czech and Italian governments have not yet commented on why they declined to sign the statement backing the ICC.
Trump’s executive order targets individuals working on ICC investigations of U.S. citizens and U.S. allies, such as Israel. The move echoes steps he took during his first term, when his administration sanctioned ICC officials over their investigations into American military actions in Afghanistan.
While the ICC’s supporters argue that the court plays a crucial role in prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression, Trump and his allies have rejected its legitimacy, calling it politically biased and a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
The latest sanctions have further deepened divisions among Western allies, with some backing Trump’s stance and others reaffirming their commitment to international justice.
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