The United States is considering imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court officials who seek an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a top foreign policy adviser to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Robert O’Brien, who served as Trump’s national security adviser, made the comments after meeting Netanyahu and other Israeli officials during a visit to the U.S. ally. O’Brien criticized the ICC’s decision to issue a warrant for Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with three Palestinian Hamas leaders.
“We can sanction the bank accounts, the travel. We can put visa restrictions on these corrupt prosecutors and judges. We can show some real mettle here,” O’Brien said.
The trip, organized by Trump allies, comes amid strains between Israel and the Biden administration over the conduct of the war in Gaza. The delegation also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, war cabinet minister Benny Gantz, and Gallant.
O’Brien emphasized the importance of rescuing hostages held by Hamas and capturing Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of an attack on Israel. He expressed support for legislation in Congress that would sanction ICC employees investigating officials in the U.S. or allied countries like Israel.
The delegation’s visit to Israel included areas targeted in the Hamas attack, where they observed the aftermath of the conflict. O’Brien’s comments suggest that Trump’s advisers would be willing to reimpose and expand sanctions if the former president returns to the White House.