Spain Calls for EU Protection Against US Sanctions on ICC Officials

• •Spain's Prime Minister seeks EU action against US sanctions on ICC officials.
• •US sanctions target ICC investigations involving Israeli leaders.
• •The EU's Blocking Statute could be activated to protect affected individuals.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has urged the European Commission to activate the EU's Blocking Statute to protect International Criminal Court (ICC) officials and UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese from US sanctions. The sanctions were imposed in response to ICC investigations involving Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The measures include restrictions on banking services, travel, and financial transactions, which Spain argues could undermine international judicial independence and human rights. Sanchez's request aims to shield these officials from the extraterritorial effects of US sanctions, emphasizing the need to protect multilateralism and international justice.