ICC Announces Probe into Alleged Israeli War Crimes, Possibly Leading to Several Hundred ArrestsDeborah Brand 3 Mar 2021
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor has announced the Hague will launch a probe into alleged war crimes by Israel in what it termed the “Palestinian territories.â€
“The decision to open an investigation followed a painstaking preliminary examination undertaken by my office that lasted close to five years,†outgoing Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda (pictured) said in a statement.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, which it said was in step with “Palestine’s tireless pursuit of justice and accountability.â€
“This is a long-awaited step that serves Palestine’s tireless pursuit of justice and accountability, which are indispensable pillars of the peace the Palestinian people seek and deserve,†the PA foreign ministry said in a statement.
In February, the ICC ruled it has the jurisdiction to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, prompting an outcry from Israel.
The U.S. did not condemn the decision outright but did highlight “serious concerns†regarding the “ICC’s attempts to exercise its jurisdiction over Israeli personnel,†State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement said at the time.
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https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2021/03/03/icc-announces-probe-into-alleged-israeli-war-crimes-possibly-leading-to-several-hundred-arrests/