European Parliament Awards Sakharov Prize to ICC Amid U.S. Sanctions

The European Parliament has awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court and its staff. Announced on Thursday, the decision comes amid U.S. sanctions targeting the court. The sanctions followed ICC warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, alongside investigations concerning American soldiers in Afghanistan. Israel disputes the court’s jurisdiction and has sought withdrawal of the warrants, arguing that they infringe its sovereign rights. The annual prize is named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov.