00:00International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane has spoken publicly for the first time
00:04since the United States has sanctioned her and senior trial lawyer Abdullah Issei.
00:10Akane said she anticipated these moves against herself, but stressed the importance of not
00:15letting this be the beginning of the demise of international rule of law.
00:19The Donald Trump administration accused them of pursuing cases against officials whose governments
00:24had not consented to ICC jurisdiction, as the ICC described Washington's measures as
00:29a flagrant attack on the court's independence.
00:33Washington has also repeatedly accused the ICC of politicized actions and targeting Israel.
00:39The court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in November
00:432024 over the war in Gaza.
00:46Beyond the U.S. sanctions, European leaders have defended the ICC.
00:50European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Antonio Costa said
00:55judges and officials must be able to act independently.
00:58The Netherlands and Germany also criticized the U.S. move and reaffirmed their support
01:03for the court.
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