ICC must “speedily conclude” investigation of Israeli “war crimes,” says PA minister
Official PA TV News, on the PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcoming the ICC decision to launch an investigation against Israel for alleged “war crimes”
PA Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad Al-Malki: “The State of Palestine welcomes the announcement of International Criminal Court (ICC) General Prosecutor [Fatou Bensouda], and her decision to proceed in investigating the situation in the State of Palestine, as this step, for which we have waited a long time, will serve Palestine’s constant effort to realize justice and the demand for accountability as essential foundations for the peace that the Palestinian people demands and deserves.
The State of Palestine reminds the general prosecutor and the [Rome Convention] member states that the crimes that the Israeli occupation leaders are committing against the Palestinian people are incessant, systematic, and extensive crimes, which makes the speedy conclusion of the investigation an essential need and tantamount to an obligation, which is consistent with the ICC’s authority in its fight against the evasion of punishment and the deterrence of the perpetrators of these crimes.
The State of Palestine thinks that the general prosecutor’s decision today and now to launch a criminal investigation, and the decision of [ICC] Pre-Trial Chamber I, prove [the ICC] respects its authority, independence, and its commitment to the values and principles of criminal justice according to that which is explicitly written in the central Rome Convention, and this is considered as courage in dealing with the unprecedented threats and wretched attempts to politicize its work.
The State of Palestine calls on the [Rome Convention] member states to honor their commitments and avoid politicizing the proceedings of this independent investigation, and it emphasizes the need for the member states to honor their commitments to defend the ICC from any interference and to ensure the protection of all members of the ICC, including the judges, the general prosecutor, and their families against any threat or attempt of coercion by any side.”
ICC Decision on Prosecuting Israelis (2021) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it was launching an investigation against Israel on March 3, 2021, after the pre-trial chamber of the ICC issued a decision on Feb. 5, 2021, granting the ICC jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Israelis for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The decision came despite the fact that Israel is not a member of the ICC, and there is no “State of Palestine.” Nevertheless, the PA has been a member of the ICC - a right otherwise reserved for states - since 2015. The ICC’s decision also opens the possibility of prosecution of Palestinians who have committed such crimes against Israelis.