Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court opened a preliminary examination on Friday of possible war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, the first formal step that could lead to charges against Israelis. Palestinian officials welcomed the announcement of the inquiry by the court’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, who described it as required procedure. Israeli officials reacted furiously, calling it an inflammatory action in the protracted dispute with the Palestinians over Israeli-occupied lands. Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said he would recommend that his government not cooperate with the inquiry. He also said Israel would seek to disband the court, which he described as an anti-Israel institution that embodies hypocrisy and grants a tailwind to terrorism. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, Palestine considers this as an important positive step toward achieving justice and ensuring respect for international law. Accusing Israel of systematic and blatant breaches of international law, including during the Gaza war last summer, the statement added, Ending this impunity is an important contribution to upholding universal values, ensuring accountability and achieving peace. [...] Palestinian officials have described joining the court as part of a shift in strategy by Mr. Abbas to pressure Israel — a strategy that also includes seeking a deadline, at the United Nations, for Israeli withdrawal from lands occupied after the 1967 war. The Israeli government froze Palestinian tax revenue after Mr. Abbas began the formal process of joining the court. The United States, which has called Palestinian membership in the court counterproductive, has warned that American aid to the Palestinian Authority could also be imperiled.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 03:49:36 +0000
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