According to the State Department, the judges were sanctioned for their roles in ICC actions targeting Israeli nationals.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has condemned the United States government’s decision to sanction two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the move as a “lawless” attempt to shield Israel from accountability over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
In a statement released on Thursday, CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., reacted to an announcement by the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirming that Washington had imposed sanctions on two ICC judges involved in proceedings related to Israel.
Secretary Rubio announced on December 18, 2025, that the U.S. was designating Gocha Lordkipanidze of Georgia and Erdenebalsuren Damdin of Mongolia under Executive Order 14203, titled “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court.”
According to the State Department, the judges were sanctioned for their roles in ICC actions targeting Israeli nationals.
“Today, I am designating two International Criminal Court (ICC) judges… who have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute Israeli nationals, without Israel’s consent,” Rubio said in the statement.
He added that the judges voted in favor of an ICC ruling on December 15, rejecting Israel’s appeal against the court’s jurisdiction.
Rubio accused the ICC of “politicized actions targeting Israel,” arguing that such actions violate the sovereignty of both the U.S. and Israel.
“Our message to the Court has been clear: the United States and Israel are not party to the Rome Statute and therefore reject the ICC’s jurisdiction,” the Secretary of State said.
“We will continue to respond with significant and tangible consequences to the ICC’s lawfare and overreach.”
However, CAIR sharply criticized the sanctions, saying they undermine international law and accountability mechanisms designed to address genocide and crimes against humanity.
“By sanctioning International Criminal Court judges for doing their jobs, our government is openly undermining international law and accountability for genocide,” CAIR said in a statement from its Washington, D.C. office.
“These sanctions send a clear message that Israel will be shielded from consequences no matter how egregious its crimes against humanity may be.”
The organization described the sanctions as “a lawless attempt to cover up genocide,” adding that punishing judges for seeking justice does not defend the rule of law.
“Punishing judges who seek justice for these atrocities does not defend the rule of law; it is instead a lawless attempt to cover up genocide,” the statement said.
Earlier this week, CAIR welcomed the ICC’s rejection of Israel’s challenge to the legality of the court’s investigation into alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
The group noted that it had previously applauded the ICC for resisting political pressure and issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
CAIR further warned that targeting ICC judges for carrying out their judicial duties sets a dangerous global precedent.
“Targeting the ICC judges for investigating war crimes in Gaza sets a dangerous precedent and further erodes U.S. credibility on human rights and the rule of law,” the organization said.
According to CAIR, more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza, adding that the actual death toll is likely to be significantly higher.
The sanctions mark the latest escalation in tensions between Washington and the ICC, as the court continues its investigations into alleged atrocities arising from Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.