Ireland to condemn Trump’s sanctions against International Criminal Court
Ireland is set to join around 76 other countries in condemning the decision by US President Donald Trump to impose sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Deputy premier Simon Harris is believed to be deeply concerned by the overnight decision and has agreed to support the issuing of the unprecedented statement.
On Thursday, the White House issued an executive order in response to what it described as “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel”.
It is understood there are about 12 Irish nationals employed by the court.
Earlier on Friday, Irish premier Micheal Martin said he does not agree with the move by Mr Trump.
“First of all, Ireland has been a strong supporter of the international courts system and international humanitarian law,” he said.
It's a serious decision and I would ask that it would be rescinded and withdrawn because we do need international rule of law
“I’ve met Karim Khan (ICC prosecutor) and I don’t believe he has any agenda against Israel or against the US.
“It’s a serious decision and I would ask that it would be rescinded and withdrawn because we do need international rule of law.
“There are challenges and there are disputes, that I acknowledge, but I believe the people working in the ICC are acting in good faith and don’t have any agenda against any particular country.”
Ireland is expected to join the other countries on Friday.
Mr Trump signed the order to impose sanctions after The Hague’s investigations into Israel during its war with Hamas.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in relation to the conflict in Gaza.
Earlier, Mr Harris said Mr Trump’s presidency creates “instability”, but added the US leader has a “fondness for Ireland”.
The Tanaiste said an invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day has not yet been issued, but he believes one will be sent.
Mr Harris, who is also Ireland’s foreign affairs and trade minister, said his department is in “full preparatory mode” for any tariffs the US might impose on the EU.
But he said there is a “way forward” if people “keep their head” over the Trump presidency.
“I spoke to president Trump, I spoke to him at the end of November, and I have no doubt that he has a fondness for Ireland, that he understands Ireland and understands the positive contributions that Ireland makes,” he told RTE’s Today with Claire Byrne programme.
“I think we need to take a deep breath in relation to this, and we need to be calm in relation to this too. There’s no doubt there is challenges on the horizon.
“But what have we seen from president Trump in the last number of days? We’ve seen he put tariffs on Mexico and then he paused them.
“We saw he put tariffs on China, and he did proceed with them. We saw he put tariffs on Canada, and then he paused them.
“It certainly creates instability, it certainly creates challenge. But the point I’m making is tariffs are bad for people in the United States of America. They’re bad for many people who voted for president Trump.”
He said he believes there is a deal to be done with Mr Trump, and said he had proposed at the last Foreign Affairs Council that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio should meet the EU’s foreign ministers.
Mr Harris said he had written to Mr Rubio to congratulate him and requested a call or meeting with him.
“I believe the president of the United States of America wants the European Union and member states to buy more US goods and US products, and there are opportunities, I believe, for the EU and Ireland to do more business and more trade with the United States, and therefore address some of the deficit that exists in relation to goods,” he said.
“I believe there is a way forward in relation to this if people keep their head, keep their calm, don’t respond to every latest comment, but actually wait for the detail of any policy proposal.”
Comparing the issue to the way in which Brexit challenges were overcome, he said the Irish Government “will absolutely be” supporting Irish businesses.
This week he took proposals to Cabinet to establish a trade forum in Ireland, linking government departments and business groups, which can argue why investment in Ireland should continue; and a strategic advisory group for businesses in the US linked to Ireland that would provide advice to Irish embassies.
He said his Fine Gael party and their coalition partners Fianna Fail were clear during November’s general election campaign that if there is a shock to the Irish economy, investment in public services would continue but tax changes would “slow down”.
On the annual visit by the Irish premier to the White House for St Patrick’s Day, Mr Harris said: “During president Trump’s last time in the White House, this happened on an annual basis, and I would expect that that’ll be the case again.
“We’ve very, very strong bilateral relationships with the United States, regardless of who’s in the White House, regardless of politics, the bond between our two countries runs deep.”
Meanwhile, Mr Martin refused to say what he will be raising with Mr Trump when they meet in Washington next month.
Asked about the US president’s proposal to take over the Gaza Strip, Mr Martin said: “The bottom line is, we’ve very clear positions on that. I think first of all, the focus has to be on the ceasefire, that the second phase of the ceasefire is confirmed, that all of the hostages are released.
“It’s unacceptable that hostages have been kept in captivity for so long. There’s a massive surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“I do know that the European Union, working with some Palestinian Authority officials, have already been at Rafah to try and facilitate the opening of the Rafah crossing.
“There are two million people, approximately, in Gaza in dire circumstances. It is hell on earth. Of that there is no doubt.
“But the more immediate focus has to be on getting aid and supports into the Palestinian people in Gaza and to reduce the level of conflict and violence in the region more generally, also in the West Bank to enable ordinary families to have a quality of life.
“We believe the Palestinians have a right to their own homeland. I don’t see that materialising.”
