The International Criminal Court (ICC) should not count on any cooperation from Israel in an investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian Territories.
Indeed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday in a statement that “Israel has decided not to cooperate with the ICC”, believing that this jurisdiction “has no legitimacy to open an investigation” against the Hebrew state, which is not a member of the ICC.
Netanyahu spoke after a meeting with ministers and Israeli government officials on the eve of the deadline, Friday, April 9, set by the ICC to respond to his notification.
“We will make it clear that Israel is a country with a rule of law that knows how to investigate itself,” said the head of government, adding that a response will be sent to the ICC in which all charges of crimes of war will be rejected.
Already in March, when the ICC announced the opening of an investigation into suspicions of war crimes committed by Israeli forces, Hamas and Palestinian armed groups in the Palestinian Territories, Israel called the announcement a “decision. political ”, reflecting“ the very essence of anti-Semitism and hypocrisy ”.
On the other hand, the Palestinian Authority, a member of the ICC, had welcomed the initiative. “The crimes committed by the leaders of the Israeli occupation against the Palestinian people, which are continuous, systematic and widespread crimes make the investigation necessary and urgent,” the Palestinian foreign ministry said. The Palestinians are ready to cooperate with the ICC.
Despite the firm opposition of the Israeli authorities, the former prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, had indicated that “the investigation will focus on crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court which have been committed in the situation since June 13, 2014” .
By OMA Newsletter N ° 225 of 04/09/2021
OMA, an NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
The enhancement of human potential
The promotion and consolidation of inter-African integration
Keywords: International Criminal Court, ICC, Investigation, War crimes, Palestinian Territories, Israel
Country: Israel
Geographical position: Middle East
