German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul pledged continued support for the International Criminal Court during a visit to The Hague, calling that backing part of Germany's "historical responsibility." His visit comes as the US has stepped up pressure on the ICC — including sanctions on officials after an arrest warrant tied to the Gaza war. Wadephul will meet ICC leaders and his Dutch counterpart to discuss the court, EU budget negotiations and defence cooperation. Germany and several EU partners oppose the European Commission's proposed €1.76 trillion budget for 2028–34.
German FM Pledges Firm Support for ICC, Citing ‘Historical Responsibility’ Amid US Pressure
FILE PHOTO - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul holds a press conference with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand. (is associated with: «German foreign minister rallies behind ICC amid Trump threats») Michael Kappeler/dpa
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday pledged continued support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the opening of a visit to The Hague, saying backing the court is part of Germany's "historical responsibility." His remarks come as the United States has intensified pressure on the ICC, including sanctions on court officials following an arrest warrant related to the Gaza war.
"Germany will do its part to ensure that the ICC remains able to act even under pressure," Wadephul said in the Netherlands. He warned that international rules are only as strong as the willingness of states to defend them and called for firm support of international institutions.
Wadephul invoked Germany's experience under Nazi rule — when the judiciary was subjugated to Adolf Hitler's regime — to explain why defending the rule of law is a core national commitment. "Support for the ICC is therefore not merely a matter of foreign policy for Germany. It is also part of our historical responsibility," he added.
Context and US Pressure
The Trump administration has escalated its attacks on the ICC after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in relation to the Gaza conflict. Washington has responded by imposing sanctions on certain court officials, including ICC President Tomoko Akane, accusing her of involvement in probes or arrests of public officials whose governments have not accepted the court's jurisdiction.
The ICC, established in 2002 to prosecute genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, has 125 member states. The United States is not a member; other notable non-members include Israel, Russia and Turkey. By design, the court steps in only when the states concerned refuse or are unable to conduct credible investigations themselves.
Meetings and Broader Agenda
During his visit, Wadephul is scheduled to meet ICC President Tomoko Akane and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan in The Hague. He will also meet his Dutch counterpart, Tom Berendsen, to discuss European Union budget negotiations, bilateral military cooperation and support for Ukraine.
Germany and the Netherlands are part of a coalition of EU member states — including Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Finland — that are resisting the European Commission's proposed long-term budget of €1.76 trillion for 2028–2034. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged cuts of several hundred billion euros. EU governments aim to agree the next multiannual financial framework by the end of this year.
Why It Matters
The trip underscores the diplomatic contest around international justice institutions and wider EU budget politics. Germany's public defense of the ICC signals that at least some major European states are willing to confront pressure from the United States to protect multilateral mechanisms for accountability.
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