UK Issues Warning Over Possible US Sanctions Linked to ICC Gaza Investigation
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has formally cautioned senior British legal advisers about the risk of U.S. sanctions stemming from their involvement in the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Israel-Gaza conflict. The warning specifically references potential backlash from the Trump administration over their consulting roles in the ICC’s probe.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan assembled a high-level advisory panel composed of distinguished legal and academic experts to scrutinize alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, and potential acts of genocide related to the Israel-Hamas hostilities in January 2024.
The expert committee’s task was to assess whether the individuals named in proposed arrest warrants had committed offenses falling within the ICC’s jurisdiction.
Renowned international law and human rights expert Sir William Ross Clooney served as one of the key advisors to ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan during the investigation into the Israel-Gaza conflict. Currently, Clooney holds a position as an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School in New York City, where she continues to contribute to the global legal discourse.
In addition to her academic and advisory work, Clooney co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free legal support to victims of human rights violations around the world.
The expert has showcased her exceptional appellate skills in ICC proceedings, as well as in similar high-profile cases at the International Court of Justice, while representing clients who have endured severe human rights violations.
She was joined on the advisory panel by a distinguished group of legal luminaries, including Danny Friedman of Matrix Chambers, Baroness Helena Kennedy of the House of Lords, former British judge Lord Justice Adrian Fulford, Judge Theodor Meron CMG, and Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG KC. Together, they formed an esteemed team to lend their expertise to the critical investigation.
Through his investigation, Prosecutor Karim Khan identified key figures on both sides of the conflict, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, as well as Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh.
After months of rigorous review, Clooney and her fellow panel members issued a joint statement and legal report in support of the ICC’s efforts to prosecute those responsible for crimes during the Gaza-Israel conflict. The statement, published in the Financial Times on May 20th, 2024, outlined the compelling evidence gathered by Khan and affirmed that it was sufficient to bring charges against the key commanders of the conflict.
Ultimately, the decision to issue arrest warrants rests with the judges of the International Criminal Court. The advisory panel strongly urged state authorities, along with witnesses and survivors, to actively engage in the ongoing judicial process to ensure justice is served.
In November 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Similar charges were leveled against Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, although the three Hamas leaders later died.
In response to the ICC’s proceedings, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February 2017 that imposed sanctions on Khan, blocking his access to U.S. property and assets and preventing his entry into the country due to his involvement in ICC investigations targeting Israel.
President Trump’s executive order established a 60-day period for departmental evaluations, which would lead to additional sanctions against individuals involved in the development of the case. The deadline for these evaluations was set for April 7. The announcement triggered widespread outrage on social media, particularly when reports surfaced that Clooney might be denied entry to the U.S. due to the sanctions.
The phrase “disgraceful” became a rallying cry among critics, with many users voicing their anger. One wrote, “This is infuriating!!” while another exclaimed their disbelief. Fans and supporters expressed concern that such a decision could have a devastating impact on Clooney’s ability to continue her work. Some users questioned whether Clooney’s American citizenship, through her marriage to actor George Clooney, might allow her to bypass the restrictions.
During this time, some social media commentators also criticized Clooney for her perceived silence on the issue of Ukrainian refugees and their suffering, sparking further debate and division online.
Following her participation in the panel, Clooney released a personal video statement, which was shared on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website. In the video, she explained her decision to join the panel, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to both legal oversight and the protection of innocent civilians in conflict zones.
Clooney underscored that international law protecting civilians during wartime has existed for over a century and applies universally, regardless of the reasons behind a conflict. As a dedicated human rights lawyer, she firmly rejects any notion that one child’s life is more valuable than another’s, reinforcing her belief in the inherent equality of all human lives.
The mother of two expressed her strong opposition to conflicts falling beyond legal jurisdiction, emphasizing that criminal offenders should never be exempt from law enforcement. She made it clear that the law must apply equally, regardless of the situation.
In response to the ICC’s charges and the arrest warrants issued against Israeli leaders, Netanyahu’s administration dismissed the allegations as “false and absurd,” vehemently rejecting the court’s actions.
“Israel along with the United States stands as a nation that did not support the creation of the ICC through an international treaty because their countries were absent from signing the agreement. Consequently they reject the ICC’s legal authority to exercise jurisdiction.
