Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay has condemned the Trump administration’s sanctions against the International Criminal Court, describing punishment of judges over judicial orders as “unheard of” and “unacceptable.” The former UN human rights chief and ICC judge warned that international courts face mounting pressure from powerful governments. Washington has imposed sweeping sanctions on the ICC amid its confrontation with the court over investigations involving Americans and Israelis, including arrest warrants issued in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel rejects the allegations and disputes the court’s jurisdiction. Pillay previously chaired a UN commission that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel strongly rejected as biased. Her 2026 Nobel Peace Prize has also drawn criticism from Netanyahu and Trump. The dispute now places Pillay, Washington and Israel on opposing sides of a broader battle over the ICC’s authority and independence.