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Rubio Announces U.S. Sanctions Against ICC Officials for Netanyahu Arrest

8/19/2026

Summary

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced U.S. sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane (Japan) and prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye.
Rubio said the sanctions protect because officials “directly engaged” in actions against governments, with Seye aiding an ICC effort to seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. targets the ICC “to defend Israel,” and that the 2025 order sanctions 11 ICC officials and rapporteur Francesca Albanese.

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Story summary

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced U.S. sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane (Japan) and prosecutor Abdoulaye Seye.
Rubio said the sanctions protect because officials “directly engaged” in actions against governments, with Seye aiding an ICC effort to seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. targets the ICC “to defend Israel,” and that the 2025 order sanctions 11 ICC officials and rapporteur Francesca Albanese.