“Hit Israel with sanctions, not the judges” – Labour MP, Burgon
In a blistering post on X, British Labour MP Richard Burgon blasted the Trump administration’s decision to sanction International Criminal Court (ICC) judges.
Burgon called the move “a sick joke,” arguing that sanctions should be aimed at Israel to stop what he labeled “genocide” in Gaza, rather than at judges seeking accountability for alleged war crimes.
“Trump has imposed more sanctions on International Criminal Court judges for issuing arrest warrants against Israeli leaders over their war crimes in Gaza,” Burgon wrote. “What a sick joke. It’s Israel that should be hit with sanctions so it stops the genocide – not the judges seeking Justice.”
The statement came just after the U.S. announced expanded sanctions on August 20, 2025, targeting four ICC individuals, two judges and two prosecutors,with asset freezes and visa restrictions. The U.S State Department confirmed the sanctions are related to their roles in investigations into alleged American and Israeli actions.
READ ALSO: US sanctions ICC judges, prosecutors in escalation of tensions over war crimes investigations
This move extends a policy from Trump’s first term in 2020, when he sanctioned ICC officials over probes into U.S. military conduct in Afghanistan.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including using starvation as a weapon in Gaza.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel recognizes the court’s authority, with Washington calling its jurisdiction illegitimate.
Burgon, the Labour MP for Leeds East, has been a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights and has consistently called for international pressure on Israel. In February 2025, he urged the UK government to impose widespread sanctions, including an arms embargo, to enforce compliance with international law.
READ ALSO: Legal team submits 2 communications to ICC over Israeli crimes against Palestinians
His stance is consistent with previous criticisms where he has accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and genocide, stating that only sanctions could stop such actions.
The ICC has condemned the U.S. sanctions as a “flagrant attack” on judicial independence, while human rights groups have warned that the measures undermine global efforts to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable.
Burgon’s remarks highlight the deep divisions within UK politics over the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has claimed more than 40,000 Palestinian lives since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities.
Trump’s actions have also drawn international backlash, including from allies like France.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
