A senior judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has spoken publicly about the personal impact of US sanctions imposed after he helped approve an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
French Judge Nicolas Guillou said the restrictions have made everyday life significantly more difficult, but insisted they would not weaken his commitment to international justice.
Judge Says Sanctions Have Disrupted Daily Life
Speaking in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), Guillou explained that the US sanctions have affected even the most basic aspects of his daily routine.
According to the judge, he can no longer use major bank cards, make online travel bookings or access several international services because American companies are prohibited from dealing with individuals placed on the sanctions list.
He said reservations made through popular travel platforms are routinely cancelled, making ordinary activities unexpectedly complicated.
ICC Judges Placed Alongside Terrorists and Criminals
Guillou criticised the nature of the sanctions, noting that the same blacklist includes members of terrorist organisations and international drug traffickers.
He questioned why judges carrying out judicial responsibilities had been placed in the same category, describing the decision as deeply concerning for the independence of international courts.
In addition to financial restrictions, the sanctions also include a travel ban to the United States and the freezing of any assets held within US jurisdiction.
Arrest Warrants Sparked Political Backlash
The sanctions followed the ICC’s decision in November 2024 to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas commander.
The court said there were reasonable grounds to believe those named could bear criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza conflict between October 2023 and May 2024.
The allegations included murder, persecution, starvation as a method of warfare and other inhumane acts.
US Continues to Reject ICC Jurisdiction
The administration of US President Donald Trump strongly opposed the ICC’s decision, arguing that the court has no legal jurisdiction over Israel because it is not a member state.
Washington also warned that accepting such rulings could expose American military personnel to similar legal actions in the future.
The disagreement has further strained relations between the United States and the Hague-based court.
Guillou Says Pressure Will Not Change His Work
Despite the sanctions, Guillou said he remains fully committed to the principles of international justice.
He acknowledged that working for the ICC has always involved political pressure but argued that attacks on institutions responsible for protecting vulnerable populations ultimately strengthen the power of the strongest rather than the rule of law.
Reflecting on the restrictions, Guillou said his earlier life before the digital age had helped him adapt, noting that he lived perfectly well during the 1990s without smartphones, online banking or internet-based services.
His comments underline the growing tensions surrounding the ICC’s work as geopolitical disputes increasingly intersect with international justice.
