U.S. Says Palestinian Moves against Israel at ICC 'Counterproductive'
The White House said Thursday that efforts to have Israel charged with war crimes at the International Criminal Court were "counterproductive" and would be opposed by Washington.
The United States has "made clear that we oppose actions against Israel at the ICC as counterproductive," National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey told AFP.
The Palestinian Authority earlier presented a first batch of evidence to the court in support of its campaign to have Israel investigated for alleged war crimes.
ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in January launched a preliminary probe to see whether there was enough evidence for a full-blown war crimes investigation, later warning that both sides may face charges.
The documents handed over on Thursday consist of two files.
One concerns alleged Israeli crimes committed in Gaza during the 50-day war in July and August last year that killed 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 73 Israelis, mostly soldiers.
Another file deals with Israel's occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including "information about the issue of Palestinian prisoners," the Palestinian mission in The Hague said.
The Palestinian Authority has also tried to join the court as a signatory to the Rome Statute, part of a much broader effort to win diplomatic recognition and eventual statehood.
The United States, which is not a signatory to the ICC, has also opposed that move.
"We do not believe the Palestinians are eligible to accede to the Rome Statute and join the International Criminal Court," said Baskey.
over 9 years
While I agree with what you wrote, you are the last person who has the right to say this considering that you support a monstrous regime in Syria.
over 9 years
And you support the monstrous bloodthirsty islamists who killed hundreds of thousands of syrians to take power from the secular regime in place. Does that make you such a moral authority to judge me?
over 9 years
This article keeps repeating the lie that Israel caused the death of mostly civilians while international experts and a painstaking analysis of all the dead indicated a 50/50 ratio. When will that find it's way to such a biased reporting?
over 9 years
"international experts" from israel right?
over 9 years
I agree with neither one of you. Compared to any combatant forces in the world, the Israeli military is the the most careful in trying to save enemy civilians lives while Hamas probably the most guilty in using their civilians life/DEATH for propaganda and DEFENCE SHIELD purpose.
over 9 years
You are on the same drugs that Mowaten and company take when they defend the butcher Assad. Your claims are belied by countless independent reports detailing the wanton criminality of the Israeli regime toward Palestinians.
over 9 years
lol zgmdf, let me guess: you're israeli right?
Yes, it's counterproductive as it could dissuade israel from committing more war crimes, and without war crimes the production rate of weapons, deaths and settlements might decrease. That would be terrible indeed. Better just count the dead in silence and wait until they're done massacring and expropriating all the people from their land.