EU Lawmakers Demand Commission Block US Sanctions on ICC
European Parliament members are urging the European Commission to activate the EU blocking statute to shield the International Criminal Court (ICC) from U.S. sanctions. Washington has already targeted nine judges and four prosecutors following the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lawmakers argue that automatic compliance with U.S. financial restrictions by European banks undermines European sovereignty and the rule of law. German and Dutch foreign ministers have publicly supported the court, with the Netherlands positioning the blocking statute as a critical 'nuclear option' to prevent operational paralysis for the Hague-based institution.