Netanyahu supports sanctions efforts against the ICC

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Washington's decision and thanked Rubio.

In his statement on the social media platform Netanyahu said he appreciated Rubio's efforts to counter the court's "illegitimate overreach" and that "corrupt officials" who run the ICC will face consequences.

In a statement he made at the end of July, Trump humorously stated that the court might be interested in him and said, "There is no information that the International Criminal Court is after me. Although such a thing may happen."

Trump also stated that their sanctions fight was aimed at protecting Netanyahu and other officials from prosecution rather than himself.

Rubio said last month that they would step up efforts to weaken the ICC, including a diplomatic campaign to persuade other countries to leave the court. At least five countries followed this call.

The tension between the USA and the ICC has been brought to court before. Three ICC judges sued Trump and his administration in June, saying the sanctions were unlawful.

Rights groups also argued in two separate lawsuits that the US's sanctions policy violated the constitutional rights of organizations that work with the court to seek justice for atrocious crimes around the world.