Palestinian NGOs vow to continue ICC cooperation despite US sanctions

Three Palestinian human rights organisations sanctioned by the United States for petitioning the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel over its actions in Gaza say they will continue working with the tribunal.

The Gaza-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and Al-Haq in Ramallah were added to the US Treasury Department’s sanctions list on September 4. The measures block the transfer of funds, goods, or services to the groups, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters. 

Raji Sourani, head of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, condemned the decision as “shameful” but said it would not deter their work.

“This is our reaction: business as usual. We are just in the court doing what we have to do,” he told reporters outside the ICC after meeting its deputy prosecutor on September 5.

The organisations submitted a request to the ICC in November 2023 to investigate war crimes in Gaza. In 2024, the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel has rejected the accusations, denying it is committing genocide in Gaza.

The ICC routinely engages with NGOs that file legal submissions. 

By Sabina Mammadli