Khan made these comments while talking about the pressures and sanctions he has experienced since he sought arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024.
He mentioned that the threat was communicated in writing by twelve senators, prior to the start of the current U.S. administration.
He characterized the wording as a distinct warning linked to the repercussions of his actions.
After issuing the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, Khan became the first ICC official to face sanctions from President Trump in February 2025.
He noted that for several months, he was the only one who faced such sanctions, until other judges and deputies were also sanctioned later that year.
Khan associated the senators’ warning with the events that followed, stating that the entire court has since been subjected to coercive actions, such as frozen bank accounts and travel bans that now stop him from attending the Assembly of State Parties vote in New York on July 24.
Khan expressed, “If you look at public records, even before the current administration began, twelve senators wrote and warned, ‘If you go after Israel, we will come after you and your family. You have received a warning.’
That is nearly an exact quote. Thus, one could say in this instance, they are being truthful and have followed through on their threats because the entire court has faced targeting,” he said.
Khan emphasized that his choices were grounded in evidence and law, which were equally applied to Israel, Russia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, and were not driven by prejudice or ill will towards any side.
