Spain Urges EU to Defy US Sanctions Against ICC Officials

In a letter addressed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Sánchez argued that the EU cannot remain passive while the US attempts to undermine international judicial independence. The sanctions, signed by President Donald Trump in February, target ICC personnel involved in the investigation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant. These measures threaten to restrict access to US-linked property, financial systems, and travel for court officials.

Sánchez emphasized that shielding the court is a matter of systemic integrity, asserting that the EU must protect the human rights framework from external pressure. Beyond the ICC, the Spanish leader also urged the Commission to extend protection to Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories. The Trump administration sanctioned Albanese in July, alleging her criticism of Israel’s military campaign—which has resulted in at least 72,000 Palestinian deaths—influenced the court's actions. Albanese welcomed the proposal, thanking Sánchez for taking a principled stance against what she described as a descent into an abyss.