Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten pledged Friday to defend the International Criminal Court "brick by brick", a veiled swipe at the United States, which used the same phrase in threats to dismantle the tribunal.
The ICC, based in Jetten's hometown of The Hague, is facing unprecedented pressure from Washington, which has already imposed sanctions on several top court officials and is mulling sweeping penalties on the whole institution.
US President Donald Trump is furious that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes during his military campaign in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has promised to dismantle the court "brick by brick", pressuring the 125 member states of the ICC to leave the court.
But Jetten told reporters at a regular briefing that the Netherlands feels responsible for ensuring the ICC can function correctly and would "protect it brick by brick where necessary".
The prime minister said the Netherlands was working behind the scenes diplomatically to make clear to Washington that far-reaching sanctions on the ICC would harm transatlantic ties.
He also said a number of countries were working to propose reforms to the ICC, which tries individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
"And the message to the Americans is also: 'Join that conversation and prevent further escalation'," said Jetten.
As the host city, the Dutch have a special responsibility to the ICC under the terms of a "headquarters agreement" signed in 2008.
In an unusually fiery speech last month at the United Nations General Assembly, Jetten vowed to defend the ICC "in my country, in my city".
"How can you possibly be opposed to prosecuting the very worst crimes? I believe there can be only one response: 'Hands off the ICC'," said Jetten to warm applause.
