Israel on Sunday lambasted the International Criminal Court’s decision to launch an inquiry into possible war crimes committed against Palestinians as “hypocrisy”, vowing that it would not allow its soldiers to be put to trial at the ICC.
“We will defend Israel’s right to defend itself, and not allow IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldiers to be tried by an international tribunal,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet at its weekly meeting.
Characterising the ICC’s decision to begin a preliminary investigation as the “height of hypocrisy and the opposite of justice,” Netanyahu said that as a former UN ambassador and as prime minister he had encountered hypocritical acts in the past, but this decision is “in a category of its own“.
“This gives international cover to international terror,” he emphasised. He also stressed that the Jewish state will enlist the support of other countries to fight against the ICC’s decision.
The issue is expected to be a major focus of Netanyahu’s discussions over the next two days with visiting dignitaries including Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, Canadian foreign minister John Baird, and a nine-member US Senate delegation headed by Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain.
Israel’s Intelligence Minister, Yuval Steinitz, was equally stern in his criticism of the ICC decision.
“This is a kangaroo court that acts according to public opinion, according to Israel’s position in the international media, according to a political decision by the UN General Assembly,” Steinitz said.
Israel’s close ally US was quick in expressing support to the Jewish state on the issue saying that Washington “strongly” disagrees with the ICC prosecutor’s decision to open a preliminary investigation.
“As we have said repeatedly, we do not believe that ’Palestine’ is a state and therefore we do not believe that it is eligible to join the ICC,” the statement said.
“It is a tragic irony that Israel, which has withstood thousands of terrorist rockets fired at its civilians and its neighbourhood, is now being scrutinised by the ICC. The place to resolve the differences between the parties is through direct negotiations, not unilateral actions by either side. We will continue to oppose actions against Israel at the ICC as counterproductive to the cause of peace,” it added.
Israel earlier this month delayed transferring some USD 127 million in taxes it collects on behalf of the Palestinians in retaliation for attempts to press war crimes charges against the Jewish state.
ICC prosecutors have said that the preliminary examination would scrutinise “in full independence and impartiality” war crimes that may have occurred since June 13 last year.
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas had earlier this month formally requested for an ICC membership.
Both the PA and Hamas praised the move, with the militant group calling it a “step in the right direction,” and that all efforts be made to bring Israeli leaders to trial.
