Thu Sep 04 21:20:51 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**U.S. Sanctions Palestinian Rights Groups Over ICC Engagement**
**Washington D.C. – September 4, 2025** – The United States government, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has placed sanctions on three prominent Palestinian human rights organizations: Al-Haq, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), and the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights. The groups have been added to the Department of the Treasury’s “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.”
According to a statement released by Secretary Rubio, the sanctions were imposed because the organizations “directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent.”
The Trump administration had previously sanctioned the ICC itself in response to its investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israeli officials in Gaza, including former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Al-Haq, PCHR, and Al-Mezan had all provided evidence to the ICC in this case.
“The United States will continue to respond with significant and tangible consequences to protect our troops, our sovereignty, and our allies from the ICC’s disregard for sovereignty, and to punish entities that are complicit in its overreach,” Rubio stated.
The sanctioned organizations have issued a joint statement condemning the move, describing it as “draconian, cowardly, immoral, illegal, and undemocratic,” especially amidst what they call a “live genocide against our People.”
Al-Haq, based in Ramallah, has been a leading organization seeking accountability for Israeli abuses. The Gaza City-based Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights have documented Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Mohsen Farshneshani, a sanctions lawyer and advisor at Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), criticized the decision on social media, calling the organizations “three of the most prominent Palestinian human rights groups.” He wrote, “This administration bends over backwards to put Israel First every time.”
The U.S. previously sanctioned Addameer, a human rights organization focused on Palestinian prisoners, in June. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch had criticized that decision, stating it would hinder the organization’s operations and negatively impact its partners.
The Trump administration has recently revoked sanctions imposed under former US President Joe Biden on Israelis from illegal settlements and organisations accused of violence, while it has sanctioned the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
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