Once unthinkable: ICC shift may bring war crimes case against Israel in The Hague
The possibility of a war crimes investigation into the conduct of Israeli forces in Gaza, until recently unthinkable, has grown after the Palestinians said this week they wanted to become a party to the International Criminal Court.
The world's permanent war crimes court in The Hague declined two years ago to investigate allegations against the Israeli military in 2008-2009, citing the uncertain legal status of the Palestinian Authority.
A lot has changed since then.
Fresh allegations of war crimes have flowed in recent weeks from fighting in Gaza, where Israel responded to a surge in rocket attacks by Hamas militants with air strikes and a ground incursion. The Palestinians this week unexpectedly said they are just one procedural step away from ICC membership.
The legal groundwork for such a move was laid in Nov 2012 when the 193-member U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the de facto recognition of the sovereign state of Palestine by upgrading the Palestinian Authority's observer status to "non-member state" from "entity.”
If the Palestinians were to sign the ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, the court would have jurisdiction over crimes committed in the Palestinian territories.
With Palestinian authorization, an ICC investigation could then examine events as far back as July 1, 2002, when the court opened with a mandate to try individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
"If Palestine applies it will be admitted to the ICC," John Dugard, international law professor and a former U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, told Reuters.
"The U.N. has spoken and it has recognized the state of Palestine and it is now for the ICC to admit Palestine. I cannot see how that can be resisted."
Dugard said the Palestinians could then ask prosecutors to investigate alleged crimes in July and August in Gaza, but also the legality of Israeli West Bank settlements.
"Destroying the New World Order"
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!
Latest Activity
- Top News
- Everything
"cheeki kea Ha! Good one!"
This is Paris Now… You Won’t See This in the Tourist Brochures
In this video, I take you through Marché Barbès and its surrounding neighbourhoods — an area that reflects the modern, complex face of Paris most tourists ne...
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Passes Amidst Democrat Lies About a Tax cut for the Rich Being Averted
AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.It’s over, folks. President Trump and congressional Republicans aimed to…See More
"I wonder what wearables must have been like before the last reset. "
"EVERYONE'S BEEN SHOT UP HERE": Arsonists Set Wildfire In Idaho, Open Fire On Firefighters, Police
"AAAAAAND…….HE’S ANOTHER TRANS…"
"Another scare tactic to push people into anew regime of vaccinations! Either that, or this is a…"
Dr. Mike Yeadon Speaks Out Against Digital ID, CBDCs, and Agenda 2030
Dr. Mike Yeadon, ex-Pfizer VP, urges public rejection of digital ID, CBDCs, and Agenda 2030, warning of future restrictions on freedom and privacy.
"EVERYONE'S BEEN SHOT UP HERE": Arsonists Set Wildfire In Idaho, Open Fire On Firefighters, Police
- Shocking news just broke that multiple firefighters and officers were shot in an ambush at the Canfield Mountain Natural Area in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.Acco...
Well Known Wilderness Photographer Disappears in the Cascades-Guess Why?
In August of 2023 another aficionado of the great outdoors went missing. The chilling revelations…See More
The Draconian Show
Sometimes I talk to my invisible friend, IkeHe comes from another dimension when magnetic fields…See More
"Listen man I know where you're at but back in October of 2023 thru December of 2023 for months…"
Architecton | Official Trailer HD | A24
SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribeWritten and directed by Victor Kossakovsky and starring Michele De Lucchi. ARCHITECTON – Coming Soon RELEASE DATE: Comin...
© 2025 Created by truth.
Powered by
