Tag Archive for ICC

| April 4, 2013
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ICC rejects Palestinian bid to investigate Israeli war crimes during Operation ‘Cast Lead’

The ICC in The Hague says reason for rejection is Palestine is currently recognized by the UN as an ‘observer,’ not a ‘Non-member State’.

 

The International Criminal Court prosecutor announced Tuesday that he has rejected a bid by the Palestinian Authority to have the war crimes tribunal investigate Israeli conduct during ‘Operation Cast Lead’ in Gaza.

IAF uses white phosphorus in air strike during Operation Cast Lead

Gazans flee an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahiya during Operation Cast Lead on January 17, 2009. – Photo: AFP

The reason for his decision was that under the ICC’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, only internationally recognized states can join the court. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| March 23, 2013
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Report: Obama to Abbas – Don’t charge Israel at the ICC

Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported that during the Ramallah talks US president urged Abbas to refrain from charging Israel at the int’l court in the Hague for any reason.
The PA leader defiantly threatens to haul Israel to court as soon as the Jewish state should start building in the E-1 area.

By Roi Kais

 

US President Barack Obama asked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to refrain from taking Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for any reason, the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Saturday.

Obama and King Abdullah, Friday

The newspaper quoted a Palestinian official as saying that during their meeting in Ramallah on Thursday Abbas told Obama he would wait two months before talking any measures against Israeli settlement construction, but stressed he would turn to the ICC immediately should the Jewish begin building in the E1 zone between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| March 18, 2013
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UNHRC ready to discuss West Bank settlement report

UN Council to examine resolutions filed against Israel after their investigators concluded that Israel could be culpable before the International Criminal Court.

 

The United Nations Human Rights Council will on Monday debate a report by its fact-finding mission on West Bank settlements, which concluded that Israel could be culpable for building over the pre-1967 lines before the International Criminal Court, if the Palestinians become party to the Rome Statute.

E-1 stop - Photo: by Ammar Awad/Reuters

Disputed E-1 region – Photo: by Ammar Awad/Reuters

The report was first published in January, but the debate on the document takes place during the council’s 22nd session from February 25 to March 22.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| January 24, 2013
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PA threatens to charge Israel at Int’l Criminal Court if it builds in E-1

 

U.S. & Canadian ambassadors protests “State of Palestine” placard, says Palestinians have not been given “statehood” or “recognition.”

By News Agencies and Israel Hayom Staff

 

 

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riad Malki declared Wednesday that the Palestinians would have “no choice” but to complain to the International Criminal Court if Israel proceeded with plans to build housing on land the Palestinians want for a future state.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas took another symbolic step weeks ago, proclaiming that official PA letterheads and signs would bear the name “State of Palestine.” – Photo:AP

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the U.N.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 21, 2012
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Israel Foreign Ministry: Palestinians are ‘power-drunk’

Foreign Ministry warns PA’s pledge to take ‘far-reaching steps against Israel’ if Netanyahu wins elections is ‘suicidal & delusional’

Jerusalem gears for possible Int’l Criminal Court backlash

Itamar Eichner

 

“Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking to incite a confrontation with Israel no matter what,” the Foreign Ministry said Friday, following the Palestinian leader’s announcement that Ramallah will actively try to isolate Israel in the international arena.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas – Photo: Reuters

On Thursday, the Palestinian Authority, bolstered by its new UN status, said that should the Right, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, win the coming elections – which is a near-certain possibility – it will actively try to destabilize both the Israeli government and Jerusalem’s standing worldwide. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| December 14, 2012
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Oren: Israel must prepare for summons to appear before the ICC

Amb. to the US, Michael Oren says Israel can’t discount possibility that the Palestinians, now empowered by the UN, will take action at int’l criminal court.

By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER, JPOST CORRESPONDENT

 

WASHINGTON – The Israeli government needs to be prepared for the Palestinians to take action against it at the International Criminal Court, Israel’s top US envoy said Wednesday afternoon, as tensions mount between the parties over settlement construction in the West Bank.

Ambassador to US Michael Oren - Photo: Hyungwon Kang/Reuters

Ambassador to US Michael Oren – Photo: Hyungwon Kang/Reuters

Disagreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel have been intensifying in the wake of  PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s successful bid for non-member state recognition at the UN last month.

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Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| December 12, 2012
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PA is requesting ICC membership before charging Israel over Israeli settlements

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki says “no rush to go to the court” yet, but warns of serious response if Israel continues with building in E-1 area.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

 

The Palestinian Authority Wednesday repeated threats to file charges against Israel with the International Criminal Court [ICC] over plans to build housing units in E1, on the eastern outskirts of Jerusalem.

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands - Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands – Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

PA Foreign Minister Riad Malki said that the Palestinians’ next move would be to request membership in the ICC following last month’s UN General Assembly vote in favor of granting a Palestinian state the status of non-member observer.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: ,
| December 11, 2012
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Palestinian NGO offices raided by Israel’s IDF

IDF sweep, raiding 3 civil society organizations in Ramallah, is the 1st of its kind since the West Bank gov’t won int’l recognition at the UN General Assembly.

By Reuters

 

Israeli soldiers raided the offices of three civil society organizations on Tuesday in the heart of Ramallah, the de facto Palestinian capital in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Palestinians celebrating in Ramallah after the PA was given status as a UN non-member state.

Palestinians celebrating in Ramallah after the PA was given status as a UN non-member state. – Photo by Reuters

Entering before dawn, troops wrenched open the doors of the Women’s Union, the Palestinian NGO Network and Addameer, an advocate for Palestinians in Israeli jails, confiscating five computers from the latter group. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 10, 2012
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EU foreign ministers meet to discuss Israel’s E-1 plans

European Union heads discuss Israel’s construction plans for Ma’aleh Adumim and feel the ‘urgent need’ to restart regional peace process.

Associated Press

 

The European Union will look at ways on Monday to press Israel to ditch a plan to build settlements in a highly sensitive area of the West Bank, but hold off on tough action soon despite international outrage over the decision.

E1 area – Photo: AP

Some officials say that options for robust steps against Israel are limited due to a lack of unanimity in the 27-member EU and diplomatic protection of the Jewish state by its cast-iron superpower ally the United States. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , ,
| December 6, 2012
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PA seeks UN Security Council action over E-1 settlement

Following threats to seek Int’l Criminal Court action over E-1 building plans, Palestinians seek Security Council’s assistance in stopping Israeli settlement construction.

US tells both sides to stop ‘war of words’

Elior Levy, agencies

 

The Palestinians are demanding urgent action by the UN Security Council and the international community to halt Israel’s “illegal settlement campaign.”

UN Security Council – Photo: AP

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that he is determined to block the settlement building near Jerusalem with all legal and diplomatic means at his disposal.

“The settlement plans that Israel announced, especially E1, are a red line,” Abbas said, adding that “this must not happen.” Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , , , ,
| December 5, 2012
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Abbas Threatens ICC Charges Over Israeli Housing Plans

Palestinian Authority warns that it may file war crimes charges against Israel with the Int’l Crimes Court if it doesn’t halt east Jerusalem building plans

News agencies

Israel is moving forward with plans for two major settlement projects in east Jerusalem, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, even as a senior Palestinian official warned that his government could pursue war crimes charges if Israel does not halt such construction.

International anger over Israeli settlement construction has snowballed in recent days, following the UN’s decision to upgrade the Palestinian Authority’s status to that of a “nonmember state” last week.

Israel retaliated by announcing plans to build 3,000 homes in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as preparations for construction of an especially sensitive project near Jerusalem, known as E1. Continue Reading »

Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| November 29, 2012
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PA will turn to ICC if evidence found that Arafat was murdered

Palestinians will soon have access to international courts following its UN statehood status upgrade on Thursday.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

The Palestinian Authority indicated it would take Israel to the International Criminal Court if it uncovers evidence Israel assassinated former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat, something that could become possible if the PA obtains an upgrade to its statehood status in the UN this week.

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands - Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

International Criminal Court in the Netherlands – Photo: REUTERS/Michael Kooren

Speaking to reporters at a new conference in Ramallah on Tuesday, PA investigator Tawfiq Tirawi said Palestinians were gathering evidence about Arafat’s death in order “to submit [it] to the International Criminal Court,” Palestinian news agency Ma’an reported.

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Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| April 3, 2012
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Int’l Criminal Court rejects investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes

 

Since Palestine is not a full UN member state, The Hague says it cannot investigate misdeeds committed there

The International Criminal Court on Tuesday rejected a Palestinian petition to prosecute Israel for alleged violations in the West Bank and Gaza because Palestine is not a full member state of the United Nations.
The International Criminal Court (CC-BY Jemimus, Flickr)

The International Criminal Court (CC-BY Jemimus, Flickr)

While pro-Israel advocates hailed the decision as a victory in the arena of “lawfare,” the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem greeted it with a lukewarm response.

A few days after Operation Cast Lead, in early 2009, Palestinian Justice Minister Ali Khashan wrote to the International Criminal Cour asking it to investigate Israel’s conduct in the West Bank and Gaza. 

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