October 23, 2026
In a move with political dimensions directed at Washington, the European Parliament announced, today, Thursday, that the International Criminal Court in The Hague and its staff will be awarded the “Sakharov Prize” for the year 2026, which is the highest honor bestowed by the European Union in the field of human rights. The announcement, which was reported by journalist Eli Leon in the Israeli newspaper “Maariv”, came during a parliament session in Strasbourg during which the Speaker of Parliament, Roberta Mizzola, announced the decision, stressing Europe’s commitment to defending international law and multilateral institutions.
This decision comes in the midst of an escalating confrontation between the European Union and the administration of US President Donald Trump, against the backdrop of Washington expanding the scope of its sanctions against the court last October 9. The US sanctions are no longer limited to judges and prosecutors only, but also affect the court as an entire institution, with the aim of limiting its ability to use American financial services, technologies and infrastructure, while granting it a transitional period of 180 days to carry out some necessary operational activities.
In this context, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the court as a “rebellious” body, warning: “Either the International Criminal Court will stop its threats, or we will put an end to the court.” These developments come against the backdrop of the court issuing two arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on suspicion of committing war crimes in Gaza, at a time when Israel rejects these accusations and affirms the commitment of its operations to international law, while the United States – which is not a member of the court – objects to its authority to investigate its citizens or its allies.
For her part, the President of the International Criminal Court, Tomoko Akane, welcomed the European decision, considering that it provides vital support for the independence of the international judicial system at a time when political pressures are intensifying. On the other hand, the European Union has repeatedly warned that US sanctions threaten the court’s independence and ability to work, and Brussels is currently considering taking steps to protect the banking and technological services necessary for its work, to prevent disruption of its operational structure.
With this coronation, the “Sakharov Prize” – which bears the name of the late Soviet physicist and dissident and has been awarded annually since 1988 with a value of 50 thousand euros, with the award ceremony being held on December 16 in Strasbourg – turns into an instrument of explicit European political support, and a direct message stating that the European Union is still determined to protect the international judicial institution and not abandon it under the weight of American sanctions and pressure.
