Rubio says US is seeking to "bring" ICC "to heel" over jurisdiction dispute

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration is working to curb the influence of the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that the court has exceeded its authority by asserting jurisdiction over individuals from countries that are not members.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat on July 31, Rubio criticised the ICC's approach to international justice, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

“The International Criminal Court has made themselves illegitimate because they claim that even if you’re not a member of that court, we can come after you,” Rubio said.

He added that previous efforts to persuade the court to change its approach had failed.

“We tried to get them to reform and listen to us, they wouldn’t do it. They’re very arrogant. So we’ve now begun an effort to really try to bring them to heel,” he said.

US President Donald Trump said Rubio's efforts were aimed at defending Israeli officials rather than the US president himself.

“He’s trying to defend Bibi and various other people,” Trump said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Rubio's remarks came several weeks after he announced an initiative to "dismantle" the ICC, reflecting the Trump administration's longstanding position that the court should not have the authority to investigate or prosecute US citizens, particularly members of the US military.

Established in 2002, the ICC prosecutes allegations of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The court exercises jurisdiction in cases where national authorities are unwilling or unable to carry out genuine investigations or prosecutions. 

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes in Gaza.

Israel has rejected the warrants, describing them as politically motivated and antisemitic.

By Sabina Mammadli