Amal Clooney, an internationally recognized human rights lawyer, has received widespread attention following her participation in a legal advisory panel convened by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The panel, composed of leading legal experts, reviewed evidence and advised ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan on applications for arrest warrants relating to the 2023–2024 Israel-Hamas conflict.

Clooney’s involvement comes amid heightened scrutiny of the ICC’s investigation, which continues to generate diplomatic reactions from governments and institutions around the world.

ICC Panel and Legal Review

In January 2024, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced the formation of a legal panel of international experts tasked with reviewing evidence related to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza and Israel. The panel consisted of:

• Amal Clooney, barrister and co-founder of the Clooney Foundation for Justice
• Danny Friedman KC, Matrix Chambers
• Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, UK Parliament member
• Lord Justice Adrian Fulford, retired UK Court of Appeal judge
• Judge Theodor Meron, former President of the ICTY
• Elizabeth Wilmshurst CMG KC, former Deputy Legal Adviser at the UK Foreign Office

The panel conducted a legal review of evidence collected by the Office of the Prosecutor under the framework of the Rome Statute, the treaty that governs the ICC.

Source: International Criminal Court – Office of the Prosecutor

Legal Conclusions and ICC Proceedings

On May 20, 2024, the panel released a joint legal statement, published in the Financial Times, concluding that the evidence submitted by the Prosecutor was sufficient to support the application for arrest warrants against specific individuals on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The panel stressed the independence of the judicial process and emphasized the rule of law as fundamental to international accountability.

“The judges of the ICC will ultimately determine which warrants, if any, should be issued,” the statement read.

Source: Financial Times – ICC Legal Panel Statement

Arrest Warrants Issued by ICC

In November 2024, the ICC publicly confirmed that it had issued arrest warrants for:

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
• Yoav Gallant, former Israeli Minister of Defense

The ICC also issued warrants for Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, and Ismail Haniyeh, senior members of Hamas. The legal basis for the charges cited alleged violations of international humanitarian law.

The issuance of warrants represents an early phase of the ICC’s legal process. Guilt or innocence is determined only through trial procedures and judicial rulings.

Source: International Criminal Court – Public Statements

Responses from Governments

The Israeli government has rejected the ICC’s jurisdiction and characterized the charges as “unfounded.” The United States, which is not a party to the Rome Statute, also reiterated its opposition to the ICC’s investigation involving Israeli officials.

Source: BBC News – U.S. and Israeli Reaction to ICC

Sanctions Policy in the U.S.

In February 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order authorizing sanctions against ICC personnel engaged in investigations perceived to target U.S. allies or national interests. This included:

• Asset freezes
• Entry bans into the U.S.
• Suspension of financial transactions under U.S. jurisdiction

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan was specifically named in the executive order.

As of May 2025, there have been no official announcements by the U.S. government indicating that Amal Clooney or any other ICC panel members have been subjected to sanctions or travel restrictions.

Source: U.S. Federal Register – Executive Orders

UK Government Advisory

According to media reports, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued informal advisories to British legal professionals participating in the ICC investigation, highlighting the potential for diplomatic consequences. The UK government has not confirmed details of any specific warnings or policies regarding U.S. sanctions enforcement.

Source: Financial Times – UK Government Legal Briefings

Amal Clooney’s Public Statement

Following the release of the panel’s findings, Amal Clooney published a personal statement on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website. She stated:

“I served on this Panel because I believe in the rule of law and the need to protect civilian lives. The laws of war exist to protect civilians and must be applied universally.”

She emphasized that international humanitarian law, developed over more than a century, applies to all parties in conflict situations and that no individual should be exempt from accountability under legal norms.

Source: Clooney Foundation for Justice

The ICC’s Jurisdiction and Global Reach

The International Criminal Court is governed by the Rome Statute, ratified by over 120 countries, including much of Europe and Latin America. The United States and Israel are not members. However, the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed in territories of signatory states or referred by the UN Security Council.

The ICC focuses on:

• Genocide
• War crimes
• Crimes against humanity
• Crimes of aggression

Its mandate is to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes under international law.

Source: ICC – Rome Statute

Amal Clooney’s Professional Background

Amal Clooney is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers in London. She has represented clients before:

• The International Criminal Court
• The European Court of Human Rights
• The International Court of Justice

She is an adjunct professor at Columbia Law School and serves on advisory bodies for several international institutions. Clooney co-founded the Clooney Foundation for Justice, which provides legal support for victims of human rights violations and monitors court proceedings globally.

Conclusion

Amal Clooney’s participation in the ICC expert panel reflects her longstanding commitment to human rights law and international accountability. The panel’s findings, submitted to the ICC as part of a judicial review process, contributed to the legal foundation of arrest warrant applications in a high-profile international case.

As of now, no sanctions or legal restrictions have been confirmed against Clooney in connection to this work. While international legal proceedings continue, her role highlights the intersection of law, diplomacy, and justice in the global arena.

Verified Sources:

• International Criminal Court
• Financial Times – ICC Legal Panel Statement
• BBC News – Reactions to ICC Arrest Warrants
• Clooney Foundation for Justice
• U.S. Federal Register – Executive Orders