France expresses ‘dismay’ by US sanctions on ICC officials

France expressed strong dismay on Wednesday over newly imposed US sanctions targeting four judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), including a French national, and urged Washington to revoke the measures.

“France has learned with dismay of the new US sanctions against the International Criminal Court against four of its judges, including a French judge,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Read more: U.S. sanctions ICC judges over ‘Israel’ case

Paris emphasized that the sanctions, enacted under the February 6, 2025, presidential decree, “constitute an attack on the Court and all 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute and are contrary to the principle of judicial independence.”

The ministry voiced solidarity with the targeted judges and reaffirmed “unwavering support for the ICC and its staff,” highlighting their role as “essential in the fight against impunity.”

“Together with its European partners and the other States Parties to the Rome Statute, [France] is working to ensure that the Court can continue to fulfill its mission independently and impartially, in order to deliver justice to the victims of the most serious crimes,” the statement added.

Read more: International Criminal Court condemns US sanctions as 'flagrant attack'

The US sanctions include one judge who authorized arrest warrants for 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.