Amal Clooney, the prominent British human rights barrister and wife of actor George Clooney, may face a travel ban to the United States following her involvement in a legal panel recommending war crimes charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The panel, convened by International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan, unanimously advised issuing an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with alleged crimes committed in Gaza. According to The Financial Times, the UK Foreign Office has warned several British legal figures linked to the ICC decision — including Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws and Lord Justice Adrian Fulford — that they could be barred from entering the US. It remains unclear whether Mrs Clooney has received a similar warning.
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In February, former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Karim Khan, barring him and his family from entering the US and freezing his American assets. Mr Trump justified the move by accusing the ICC of “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the US and its ally Israel. His executive order allowed for further penalties against those involved in the decision, including travel bans and asset seizures, with an internal review deadline set for April 7. No additional sanctions have yet been announced publicly.
Mrs Clooney confirmed her role on the legal panel in a post on the Clooney Foundation for Justice website, stating that she joined the review because she believes in upholding the rule of law and protecting civilians during conflict. The panel concluded there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare and persecution. While the ICC has also charged three Hamas leaders, who have since been killed, Mr Netanyahu has denounced the warrant as morally flawed, accusing the court of equating Israel’s actions with those of Hamas.
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The Clooneys, who primarily reside in France and own homes in London and Italy, are currently in New York while Mr Clooney performs in a Broadway production. A long-time supporter of the Democratic Party, Mr Clooney has frequently criticised Mr Trump, who in turn recently derided him as a “second-rate movie star” following his appearance on 60 Minutes. Amal Clooney has yet to respond to requests for comment made through her legal chambers and the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
