Ahead of Jetten’s UN address, worries about ICC sanctions

As prime minister Rob Jetten heads to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, multiple news outlets have reported that the Trump administration is set to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Wall Street Journal, Reuters and the Associated Press have all reported in recent days that the United States is planning to escalate its fight with the ICC and sanction the institution as a whole.

The White House has already sanctioned 13 staff members, including the court’s president, Japanese Judge Tomoko Akane, over the investigation into allegedly Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

In 2024, the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other for war crimes.

Foreign affairs minister Tom Berendsen is also traveling to New York for the UN’s annual meeting. According to his agenda, he is set to meet with other world leaders to discuss the ICC, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

Earlier this year, Berendsen said in a statement that the Netherlands “disapproves” of the sanctions against ICC staff.

Host state

Jetten’s public schedule does not including any specific meetings about the ICC. He will address the UN on Thursday.

As the court’s host state, the Dutch are obligated to provide assistance such as cooperation with security, facilitating visas and helping with transportation for defendants and witnesses.

A number of opposition parties in the Netherlands feel the government is not doing enough to protect the institution. MP Kati Piri of Pro told public broadcaster NOS that the cabinet has adopted a “super weak” stance so far.

In a letter to parliament earlier this month, Berendsen said the Dutch had been regularly meeting with the court and other countries to discuss the situation, writing that “Dutch efforts have contributed to the Court’s ability … to continue the vast majority of its operations unimpeded thus far.”