A senior judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has spoken publicly about the personal impact of US sanctions imposed after he helped approve an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
_x000D_French Judge Nicolas Guillou said the restrictions have made everyday life significantly more difficult, but insisted they would not weaken his commitment to international justice.
_x000D_ _x000D_Judge Says Sanctions Have Disrupted Daily Life
_x000D_Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Guillou explained that the US sanctions have affected even the most basic aspects of his daily routine.
_x000D_According to the judge, he can no longer use major bank cards, make online travel bookings or access several international services because American companies are prohibited from dealing with individuals placed on the sanctions list.
_x000D_He said reservations made through popular travel platforms are routinely cancelled, making ordinary activities unexpectedly complicated.
_x000D_ _x000D_ICC Judges Placed Alongside Terrorists and Criminals
_x000D_Guillou criticised the nature of the sanctions, noting that the same blacklist includes members of terrorist organisations and international drug traffickers.
_x000D_He questioned why judges carrying out judicial responsibilities had been placed in the same category, describing the decision as deeply concerning for the independence of international courts.
_x000D_In addition to financial restrictions, the sanctions also include a travel ban to the United States and the freezing of any assets held within US jurisdiction.
_x000D_ _x000D_Arrest Warrants Sparked Political Backlash
_x000D_The sanctions followed the ICC’s decision in November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas commander.
_x000D_The court said there were reasonable grounds to believe those named could bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza conflict between October 2023 and May 2024.
_x000D_The allegations included murder, persecution, starvation as a method of warfare and other inhumane acts.
_x000D_ _x000D_US Continues to Reject ICC Jurisdiction
_x000D_The administration of US President Donald Trump strongly opposed the ICC’s decision, arguing that the court has no legal jurisdiction over Israel because it is not a member state.
_x000D_Washington also warned that accepting such rulings could expose American military personnel to similar legal actions in the future.
_x000D_The disagreement has further strained relations between the United States and the Hague-based court.
_x000D_ _x000D_Guillou Says Pressure Will Not Change His Work
_x000D_Despite the sanctions, Guillou said he remains fully committed to the principles of international justice.
_x000D_He acknowledged that working for the ICC has always involved political pressure but argued that attacks on institutions responsible for protecting vulnerable populations ultimately strengthen the power of the strongest rather than the rule of law.
_x000D_Reflecting on the restrictions, Guillou said his earlier life before the digital age had helped him adapt, noting that he lived perfectly well during the 1990s without smartphones, online banking or internet-based services.
_x000D_His comments underline the growing tensions surrounding the ICC’s work as geopolitical disputes increasingly intersect with international justice.
