1 apr 2015
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said the Palestinian Authority (PA) official joining of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a full member is the first step toward lifting the immunity on Israel.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said this constitutes the first move by the international community to isolate Israel and prosecute it for war crimes against the Palestinian people, land, and sacred shrines.
Hamas emphasized that this move requires the ICC Secretary General to start investigation into Israeli various crimes.
Hamas called on the Palestinian families of victims of the Israeli practices to cooperate with the human rights institutions along with the NGOs to file lawsuits against the Israeli leaders.
It also demanded the PA to shoulder its official responsibilities and to work hard in prosecuting Israel for all issues including the Separation Wall, the successive wars on Gaza, and the aggressive practices against prisoners, Jerusalem, and holy sites, in addition to settlement building and others.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Legislative Council First Deputy Speaker Dr. Ahmad Bahar said, in a press release on Wednesday, the PA joining of the ICC is a victory for the victim and an advanced move toward halting the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
Dr. Bahar called on the ICC Attorney General Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation into the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
He warned of any political intervention in the work of the ICC when opening war crime investigation against Israel.
The PA officially joined the ICC at The Hague on Wednesday; a step that means starting probes into Israeli crimes.
Joining the ICC constitutes a new step within a diplomatic and prosecution campaign launched by the PA in 2014.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat considered Wednesday, April 1, the day in which Palestine is announced official member of ICC, as a national, historic day in the life of the Palestinian people.
In mid January 2015, the ICC announced opening of a preliminary probe which is a phase that precedes opening an investigation into Israeli war crimes during last summer’s war in Gaza.
The international community established the ICC in July, 2002 for the sake of deterring war crimes against humanity as well as genocides by holding accountable all those who commit such crimes.
The preamble of the Rome Statue points to the intention of the member states to put an end to the impunity of perpetrators of war crimes from prosecution and therefore contribute to prevent such crimes.
In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas said this constitutes the first move by the international community to isolate Israel and prosecute it for war crimes against the Palestinian people, land, and sacred shrines.
Hamas emphasized that this move requires the ICC Secretary General to start investigation into Israeli various crimes.
Hamas called on the Palestinian families of victims of the Israeli practices to cooperate with the human rights institutions along with the NGOs to file lawsuits against the Israeli leaders.
It also demanded the PA to shoulder its official responsibilities and to work hard in prosecuting Israel for all issues including the Separation Wall, the successive wars on Gaza, and the aggressive practices against prisoners, Jerusalem, and holy sites, in addition to settlement building and others.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Legislative Council First Deputy Speaker Dr. Ahmad Bahar said, in a press release on Wednesday, the PA joining of the ICC is a victory for the victim and an advanced move toward halting the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people.
Dr. Bahar called on the ICC Attorney General Fatou Bensouda to open an investigation into the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
He warned of any political intervention in the work of the ICC when opening war crime investigation against Israel.
The PA officially joined the ICC at The Hague on Wednesday; a step that means starting probes into Israeli crimes.
Joining the ICC constitutes a new step within a diplomatic and prosecution campaign launched by the PA in 2014.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat considered Wednesday, April 1, the day in which Palestine is announced official member of ICC, as a national, historic day in the life of the Palestinian people.
In mid January 2015, the ICC announced opening of a preliminary probe which is a phase that precedes opening an investigation into Israeli war crimes during last summer’s war in Gaza.
The international community established the ICC in July, 2002 for the sake of deterring war crimes against humanity as well as genocides by holding accountable all those who commit such crimes.
The preamble of the Rome Statue points to the intention of the member states to put an end to the impunity of perpetrators of war crimes from prosecution and therefore contribute to prevent such crimes.
Chairman of Hamas political bureau Khaled Mishaal says his movement will not stop resisting the Israeli occupation “as long as there is occupation, aggression, war and killing”.
He stressed that Hamas was "careful to respect international humanitarian law and to target only military targets".
In an interview with BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Qatar, Mishaal said the results of Israel's elections will further diminish hopes for peace.
Khaled Mishaal told the BBC the victory of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its right-wing allies indicated there would be more extremism.
He said Hamas was not looking for any escalation, but would defend itself.
Mishaal condemned comparing Hamas to other Jihad parties such as the Islamic State and Qaeda, saying “This is not Islam”.
He said Palestinians have showed “flexibility, seriousness and keenness to achieve just and fair peace, but Israel killed the peace process", blaming Netanyahu's outgoing government.
Mishaal urged the international community to grant the Palestinians recognition at the United Nations, pointing to Netanyahu’s pledge not to allow it.
He affirmed, in conclusion, that the Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.
He stressed that Hamas was "careful to respect international humanitarian law and to target only military targets".
In an interview with BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Qatar, Mishaal said the results of Israel's elections will further diminish hopes for peace.
Khaled Mishaal told the BBC the victory of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party and its right-wing allies indicated there would be more extremism.
He said Hamas was not looking for any escalation, but would defend itself.
Mishaal condemned comparing Hamas to other Jihad parties such as the Islamic State and Qaeda, saying “This is not Islam”.
He said Palestinians have showed “flexibility, seriousness and keenness to achieve just and fair peace, but Israel killed the peace process", blaming Netanyahu's outgoing government.
Mishaal urged the international community to grant the Palestinians recognition at the United Nations, pointing to Netanyahu’s pledge not to allow it.
He affirmed, in conclusion, that the Palestinians refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.
After Palestinians join war crimes court, Israel fires back, saying move undermines two-state solution; slams court for accepting Palestinians, which are not fully recognized as a state.
Israel denounced as hypocritical Wednesday the Palestinian decision to join the International Criminal Court in order to seek to prosecute officials from the Jewish state, claiming the court had erred in agreeing to accept them.
"The Palestinian decision to join the ICC to initiate judicial proceedings against Israel is political, cynical and hypocritical," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Palestine formally joined the ICC Wednesday in a closed-door ceremony at the court's headquarters in The Hague. However, Israel claimed the court was in the wrong for accepting the Palesotinians as a member and agreeing to an initial probe into alleged war crimes in Gaza.
"Israel's position, like that of other nations like the US and Canada, is that the Palestinians are not entitled to join the ICC, and that the court does not have the authority to accept them, first and foremost because a Palestinian state is not recognized according to international law," the foreign ministry said.
Israel further slammed the Palestinians, saying that "The government of the Palestinian Authority, which is associated with the deadly terrorist Hamas committing war crimes... is the last to be able to threaten legal action" before the court. Unilateral Palestinian actions such as joining the ICC are "violations of the principles established between the two parties with the support of the international community to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," it added.
The Palestinians officially joined the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Wednesday, a move initiated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after the failure of the US-brokered peace talks last year.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki was meeting with court officials Wednesday, in a move that was largely ceremonial. Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Monday that the ICC had already begun a preliminary examination of alleged Israeli crimes. Erekat said that the court had started investigating Israel's actions during the Gaza operation last summer, Turkey's Andolu agency reported.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files,” Erekat was quoted as saying. “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member on Wednesday.”
At the end of last year, the Palestinians accepted the court's jurisdiction dating back to June 2014, to ensure that last summer's Gaza war between Israel and the militant group Hamas will be included in any review.
Israel denounced as hypocritical Wednesday the Palestinian decision to join the International Criminal Court in order to seek to prosecute officials from the Jewish state, claiming the court had erred in agreeing to accept them.
"The Palestinian decision to join the ICC to initiate judicial proceedings against Israel is political, cynical and hypocritical," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Palestine formally joined the ICC Wednesday in a closed-door ceremony at the court's headquarters in The Hague. However, Israel claimed the court was in the wrong for accepting the Palesotinians as a member and agreeing to an initial probe into alleged war crimes in Gaza.
"Israel's position, like that of other nations like the US and Canada, is that the Palestinians are not entitled to join the ICC, and that the court does not have the authority to accept them, first and foremost because a Palestinian state is not recognized according to international law," the foreign ministry said.
Israel further slammed the Palestinians, saying that "The government of the Palestinian Authority, which is associated with the deadly terrorist Hamas committing war crimes... is the last to be able to threaten legal action" before the court. Unilateral Palestinian actions such as joining the ICC are "violations of the principles established between the two parties with the support of the international community to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," it added.
The Palestinians officially joined the International Criminal Court at The Hague on Wednesday, a move initiated by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after the failure of the US-brokered peace talks last year.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki was meeting with court officials Wednesday, in a move that was largely ceremonial. Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said Monday that the ICC had already begun a preliminary examination of alleged Israeli crimes. Erekat said that the court had started investigating Israel's actions during the Gaza operation last summer, Turkey's Andolu agency reported.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files,” Erekat was quoted as saying. “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member on Wednesday.”
At the end of last year, the Palestinians accepted the court's jurisdiction dating back to June 2014, to ensure that last summer's Gaza war between Israel and the militant group Hamas will be included in any review.
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Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi
Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, stated that by joining the International Criminal Court (ICC), Palestine would be able to file cases against Israel and its commanders for war crimes against the Palestinian people, and to strip Israel of its illegal immunity that allowed it to continue its war crimes. Dr. Barghouthi said the fact that Palestine became an official member of the ICC, Tuesday, is an important step towards stripping Israel of its illegal, and immoral, immunity that enabled it to continue to commit war crimes against the Palestinians, their lands, property and holy sites, in direct violation |
of International Law. “For the first time since 67 years after the establishment of Israel in the historic land of Palestine, there will be a tool, and a means to hold it accountable,” he said, “Israel’s government, its generals and soldiers who continuously commit war crimes against the Palestinians, and Arab nations, must be brought to justice.”
The Palestinian official further stated the Israeli crimes were escalating, including Israel’s repeated aggression on the civilians on Gaza.
He added that Israel’s continued construction and expansion of colonies since 1967, is also a crime that has even been condemned by the International Court of Justice ten years ago, as settlements violate International Law.
He also stressed that it is essential to prepare and submit to the ICC all needed files and cases that document Israel’s ongoing crimes, especially settlements, and war crimes against the civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian official further stated the Israeli crimes were escalating, including Israel’s repeated aggression on the civilians on Gaza.
He added that Israel’s continued construction and expansion of colonies since 1967, is also a crime that has even been condemned by the International Court of Justice ten years ago, as settlements violate International Law.
He also stressed that it is essential to prepare and submit to the ICC all needed files and cases that document Israel’s ongoing crimes, especially settlements, and war crimes against the civilians in the Gaza Strip.
31 mar 2015
Palestinian governmental spokesperson Ihab Bseiso, Monday, assured that, "Until now we haven't received any money, nor have we officially been informed of anything."
The Palestinian Finance Ministry stated that the deductions made by Israel to cover services provided to the Palestinians haven't been 'agreed upon' and constitute 'an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications'.
PNN reports that the ministry affirmed a transfer of the tax revenues is not a favor from the Israeli government, and that the Palestinian government rejects any unilateral deductions outside the relevant calculation mechanism.
It viewed the deductions, which were not made in a transparent and fair manner, to constitute a continuation of the Israeli policy of reprisals against the Palestinian people and called on the international community to pressurize Israel into releasing the total sum of the withheld tax revenues.
The Israeli government decided to withhold around $375 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on imports and exports, over the last three months, in reprisal for the PA's accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Israel for war crimes.
The PA formally applied to join twenty international organisations, including the ICC, on January 2nd, following the United Nations Security Council's failure to pass a Palestinian draft resolution setting a deadline for ending the Israeli occupation and establishment of the Palestinian state, according to WAFA.
The Palestinian Finance Ministry stated that the deductions made by Israel to cover services provided to the Palestinians haven't been 'agreed upon' and constitute 'an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications'.
PNN reports that the ministry affirmed a transfer of the tax revenues is not a favor from the Israeli government, and that the Palestinian government rejects any unilateral deductions outside the relevant calculation mechanism.
It viewed the deductions, which were not made in a transparent and fair manner, to constitute a continuation of the Israeli policy of reprisals against the Palestinian people and called on the international community to pressurize Israel into releasing the total sum of the withheld tax revenues.
The Israeli government decided to withhold around $375 million in tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on imports and exports, over the last three months, in reprisal for the PA's accession to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to try Israel for war crimes.
The PA formally applied to join twenty international organisations, including the ICC, on January 2nd, following the United Nations Security Council's failure to pass a Palestinian draft resolution setting a deadline for ending the Israeli occupation and establishment of the Palestinian state, according to WAFA.
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Chief Palestinian Legislator, Dr. Saeb Erekat stated that Palestine would be announced, Wednesday, an official member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, adding that the Palestinian Authority has concluded all technical and legal preparations.
Erekat said the move would enable Palestine to become a member of 523 international treaties and organizations, adding that the two files on Israel’s colonies, and its aggression and wars, will be soon finalized before being submitted to the ICU in April. The official, also a member of the Palestinian committee in charge of ICC preparations, said the ICC has already started, nearly two months ago, |
an initial investigation into Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem, in addition to its illegal settlement construction and expansion activities.
The initial investigation started directly after the Palestinian Authority signed Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files, and all related articles,” Erekat said, “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member Wednesday.”
Erekat also stated that Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Maliki would be representing Palestine, Wednesday, and will be holding a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.
He said the official investigation will start after April 1, and that the files on Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people will continue to advance to the best interests of the Palestinians, and their cause.
The Palestinian Authority signed the Rome Statute after the UN Security Council vote on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine failed to pass back in early January. Signing the Statute enables Palestine to join the 123 member states of the ICC.
The initial investigation started directly after the Palestinian Authority signed Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute.
“The legal and technical committees have been extensively working on finalizing the two files, and all related articles,” Erekat said, “We will conduct all practical moves directly after Palestine is officially declared an ICC member Wednesday.”
Erekat also stated that Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyadh al-Maliki would be representing Palestine, Wednesday, and will be holding a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda.
He said the official investigation will start after April 1, and that the files on Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people will continue to advance to the best interests of the Palestinians, and their cause.
The Palestinian Authority signed the Rome Statute after the UN Security Council vote on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestine failed to pass back in early January. Signing the Statute enables Palestine to join the 123 member states of the ICC.
Complaint to US Justice Department targets Hamas leaders and members of launching cell for firing missiles at Ben Gurion International Airport during Operation Protective Edge.
Hamas could face war crimes charges in the United States, as 26 US citizens plan to file a complaint [PDF] with the US Department of Justice on Tuesday for the Palestinian Islamist group's actions during the Gaza conflict last summer.
The complaint focuses on Palestinian missile attacks that targeted Ben-Gurion International Airport. During the 50-day Operation Protective Edge, Hamas fired several long-range missiles at the site, including a missile fired on July 22 that narrowly missed the airport and hit a home in nearby Yehud.
In response to this missile strike, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ban prohibiting American airlines from flying to and from Tel Aviv, and the airport was closed for a day during the operation because of the missile threat. Many European airlines followed the American example and cancelled flights to Ben-Gurion Airport as well.
Hamas took credit for the missile fire, with spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri proclaiming that "the success of Hamas in closing Israeli airspace is a great victory for the resistance, and is the crown of Israel’s failure." On August 20, Hamas made an explicit threat to launch missiles at Ben-Gurion Airport the following morning at 6am, warning international airlines to cancel their flights to the airport. American citizens – both passengers and aircrew members – were at the airport in all instances of missile attacks at Ben Gurion Airport, according to the complaint.
The complainants are seeking to bring to justice members of Hamas' leadership and of the missile launching cell, among them are Khaled Mashal, Hamdan Awad, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hudheifa Samir Abdullah Allachlot (also known as Abu Obedia), Ahmad Ghandour, Raed Sa’ad, Marwan Abd al-Karim Issa and Salah Amar Dalul.
According to the complaint filed Thursday to US Attorney General Eric Holder, Hamas "deliberately directed its missile fire towards BGA in an attempt to kill or grievously injure as many civilians as possible." Hamas also "both attempted to, and in at least two instances succeeded in, disrupting air traffic and service at BGA."
According to the US Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, a person who "unlawfully and intentionally, using any device, substance, or weapon," attacks an American citizen at an international airport or disrupts the services of an international airport can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
The complaint details the disruptions to flights at Ben-Gurion Airport that affected US citizens. "The ban severely disrupted service at BGA, coming at the height of the summer tourism season," it reads. "All United States carriers that fly to Israel cancelled flights for approximately 36 hours. In addition to the US cancellations, Delta Air Lines flight 468 with 273 passengers on board was diverted over Greece and forced to land in Paris. American Airlines was forced to remove passengers from a flight waiting to depart from BGA because the FAA would not allow the plane to take off with passengers on board."
The complaint was initiated and drafted by the director of legal NGO Shurat HaDin, attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, and by attorney Robert Tolchin. "It cannot be denied that Hamas and other Palestinian organizations targeted Ben Gurion Airport in an attempt to cause the death of travelers and hurt international companies," Darshan-Leitner said.
Hamas could face war crimes charges in the United States, as 26 US citizens plan to file a complaint [PDF] with the US Department of Justice on Tuesday for the Palestinian Islamist group's actions during the Gaza conflict last summer.
The complaint focuses on Palestinian missile attacks that targeted Ben-Gurion International Airport. During the 50-day Operation Protective Edge, Hamas fired several long-range missiles at the site, including a missile fired on July 22 that narrowly missed the airport and hit a home in nearby Yehud.
In response to this missile strike, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ban prohibiting American airlines from flying to and from Tel Aviv, and the airport was closed for a day during the operation because of the missile threat. Many European airlines followed the American example and cancelled flights to Ben-Gurion Airport as well.
Hamas took credit for the missile fire, with spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri proclaiming that "the success of Hamas in closing Israeli airspace is a great victory for the resistance, and is the crown of Israel’s failure." On August 20, Hamas made an explicit threat to launch missiles at Ben-Gurion Airport the following morning at 6am, warning international airlines to cancel their flights to the airport. American citizens – both passengers and aircrew members – were at the airport in all instances of missile attacks at Ben Gurion Airport, according to the complaint.
The complainants are seeking to bring to justice members of Hamas' leadership and of the missile launching cell, among them are Khaled Mashal, Hamdan Awad, Sami Abu Zuhri, Hudheifa Samir Abdullah Allachlot (also known as Abu Obedia), Ahmad Ghandour, Raed Sa’ad, Marwan Abd al-Karim Issa and Salah Amar Dalul.
According to the complaint filed Thursday to US Attorney General Eric Holder, Hamas "deliberately directed its missile fire towards BGA in an attempt to kill or grievously injure as many civilians as possible." Hamas also "both attempted to, and in at least two instances succeeded in, disrupting air traffic and service at BGA."
According to the US Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, a person who "unlawfully and intentionally, using any device, substance, or weapon," attacks an American citizen at an international airport or disrupts the services of an international airport can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
The complaint details the disruptions to flights at Ben-Gurion Airport that affected US citizens. "The ban severely disrupted service at BGA, coming at the height of the summer tourism season," it reads. "All United States carriers that fly to Israel cancelled flights for approximately 36 hours. In addition to the US cancellations, Delta Air Lines flight 468 with 273 passengers on board was diverted over Greece and forced to land in Paris. American Airlines was forced to remove passengers from a flight waiting to depart from BGA because the FAA would not allow the plane to take off with passengers on board."
The complaint was initiated and drafted by the director of legal NGO Shurat HaDin, attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, and by attorney Robert Tolchin. "It cannot be denied that Hamas and other Palestinian organizations targeted Ben Gurion Airport in an attempt to cause the death of travelers and hurt international companies," Darshan-Leitner said.
30 mar 2015
A new report by the Israeli newspaper
'Jerusalem Post', based on unnamed sources within the Palestinian
Authority, claims that the PA has agreed to pursue no formal charges
against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC), in exchange
for the release of tax money that had been illegally seized by Israeli
authorities.
The report came after an announcement on Friday by the Israeli government that they would return to the Palestinian Authority some of the $500 million that they had illegally seized since January, but would not return the entire amount - instead subtracting from the total an arbitrary charge for electric, water and hospital bills.
This amount will also not include the tax monies from the month of March, just January and February. So far the Israeli government has not made any statement on whether or when it will release the March tax funds. These are taxes collected by Israel on goods imported into the Palestinian Territories - since the PA does not control any borders, Israel has complete control over all imports and exports. Despite the fact that these taxes are supposed to be directly transferred to the PA, Israeli authorities regularly withhold and seize these funds.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided in December to join the International Criminal Court. According to the Jerusalem Post, the PA had requested a prosecutor at the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza during the invasion last summer in which, according to UN OCHA, 2,220 Palestinians were killed, of whom 1,492 were civilians (551 children, 299 women).
But the Jerusalem Post report claims that their unnamed source has said that because the tax money was released, the investigation will go no further than that, and no charges will be issued against Israel for war crimes in Gaza or illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Even if the Palestinian Authority did at some point move forward with formal charges against Israel, its unclear how much hold these charges would have, since Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, and does not recognize the court's authority.
The report came after an announcement on Friday by the Israeli government that they would return to the Palestinian Authority some of the $500 million that they had illegally seized since January, but would not return the entire amount - instead subtracting from the total an arbitrary charge for electric, water and hospital bills.
This amount will also not include the tax monies from the month of March, just January and February. So far the Israeli government has not made any statement on whether or when it will release the March tax funds. These are taxes collected by Israel on goods imported into the Palestinian Territories - since the PA does not control any borders, Israel has complete control over all imports and exports. Despite the fact that these taxes are supposed to be directly transferred to the PA, Israeli authorities regularly withhold and seize these funds.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) decided in December to join the International Criminal Court. According to the Jerusalem Post, the PA had requested a prosecutor at the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes in Gaza during the invasion last summer in which, according to UN OCHA, 2,220 Palestinians were killed, of whom 1,492 were civilians (551 children, 299 women).
But the Jerusalem Post report claims that their unnamed source has said that because the tax money was released, the investigation will go no further than that, and no charges will be issued against Israel for war crimes in Gaza or illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Even if the Palestinian Authority did at some point move forward with formal charges against Israel, its unclear how much hold these charges would have, since Israel is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court, and does not recognize the court's authority.
29 mar 2015
When the Palestinian Authority joins the International Criminal Court on April 1, it will hold off on steps against Israel regarding settlement construction, Israeli media reported Sunday.
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported, according to Ma'an, that the decision follows Israel's release of seized tax revenues.
According to the report, the ICC prosecutor has opened a preliminary examination on alleged Israeli war crimes during its devastating summer 2014 assault on Gaza.
Israel's prime minister's office announced, Friday, that Israel would release the funds it collects on the PA's behalf and withheld as punishment for its move to join the ICC.
"Tax revenues that have been accumulated through February will be transferred, after payments for services to the Palestinian population have been deducted, including electricity, water and hospital bills," a statement said.
Israel froze the transfer at the beginning of January, after the Palestinians moved to join the ICC, where they would be able to sue Israeli officials.
The decision came 10 days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reelected and subsequently chosen to form the next government.
Palestine formally becomes a member of the ICC in April and can proceed with legal action there.
According to the statement, the decision to release the funds was based on "humanitarian concerns and in overall consideration of Israel's interests at this time," among other factors.
"Given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, one must act responsibly and with due consideration alongside a determined struggle against extremist elements," it quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Every month, Israel transfers to the PA around $127 million in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. Excluding foreign aid, these revenues make up around two-thirds of the authority's annual budget.
World powers had called on Israel to release the funds, while a senior Palestinian official said withholding the money is an Israeli ploy aimed at collapsing the PA.
See also Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported, according to Ma'an, that the decision follows Israel's release of seized tax revenues.
According to the report, the ICC prosecutor has opened a preliminary examination on alleged Israeli war crimes during its devastating summer 2014 assault on Gaza.
Israel's prime minister's office announced, Friday, that Israel would release the funds it collects on the PA's behalf and withheld as punishment for its move to join the ICC.
"Tax revenues that have been accumulated through February will be transferred, after payments for services to the Palestinian population have been deducted, including electricity, water and hospital bills," a statement said.
Israel froze the transfer at the beginning of January, after the Palestinians moved to join the ICC, where they would be able to sue Israeli officials.
The decision came 10 days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reelected and subsequently chosen to form the next government.
Palestine formally becomes a member of the ICC in April and can proceed with legal action there.
According to the statement, the decision to release the funds was based on "humanitarian concerns and in overall consideration of Israel's interests at this time," among other factors.
"Given the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, one must act responsibly and with due consideration alongside a determined struggle against extremist elements," it quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Every month, Israel transfers to the PA around $127 million in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports. Excluding foreign aid, these revenues make up around two-thirds of the authority's annual budget.
World powers had called on Israel to release the funds, while a senior Palestinian official said withholding the money is an Israeli ploy aimed at collapsing the PA.
See also Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
27 mar 2015
In a report published today entitled “Trapped and Punished: The Gaza Civilian Population under Operation Protective Edge”, [PDF] FIDH presents evidence consistent with the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Israeli military during Operation Protective Edge (July-August 2014).
Our organisation, the first international human rights NGO to have gained access to the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire was agreed in August 2014, also asserts that the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups, causing civilian deaths, may also amount to international crimes.
“Most of people we met with, all of whom have lived through previous attacks on Gaza, told us that the summer offensive in 2014 was the worst they had seen. Bombs fell entirely indiscriminately, on men, women and children alike.” declared Gaëlle Dusepulchre, one of the members of the FIDH delegation who visited Gaza strip.
The report was submitted this morning to the ICC, three days before Palestine’s ratification of the ICC Statute goes into effect (1 April 2015). While a preliminary examination by the ICC prosecutor into the situation in Gaza was initiated in January 2015 at the request of Palestine, FIDH hopes that in submitting the report, the ICC will take the case even further.
“It’s now time for ICC to move from a mere preliminary examination of the conflict to a full investigation. The Prosecutor must go to the field in order to appreciate the magnitude of the crimes committed", declared Shawan Jabbarin, FIDH Vice-President. “We all hope that April 1st will be a milestone in the fight against impunity in Palestine and Israel. Palestinian have been waiting for justice for far too long”.
The report compiles examples of indiscriminate and direct attacks against civilians and civilian objects, disproportionate to any concrete military advantage, as well as deliberate attacks targeting medical services, among other potential crimes. The report also presents several testimonies collected during field visits undertaken by the FIDH delegation. The team visited Rafah, Khan Younis, Beit Hanoun, and Gaza City, including Shuja’iya, where they took stock of the situation and met with victims of the military offensive.
In addition to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, the situations documented, such as the refusal of access to humanitarian relief, the targeting of residential areas, operational healthcare facilities and transport, and life-sustaining civilian infrastructure are consistent with violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
"Impunity is nothing but an invitation to commit further such crimes. It’s time for international justice to prevail over an unwilling national justice system", concluded FIDH President Karim Lahidji.
Download the PDF report “Trapped and Punished: The Gaza Civilian Population under Operation Protective Edge”
Our organisation, the first international human rights NGO to have gained access to the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire was agreed in August 2014, also asserts that the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian armed groups, causing civilian deaths, may also amount to international crimes.
“Most of people we met with, all of whom have lived through previous attacks on Gaza, told us that the summer offensive in 2014 was the worst they had seen. Bombs fell entirely indiscriminately, on men, women and children alike.” declared Gaëlle Dusepulchre, one of the members of the FIDH delegation who visited Gaza strip.
The report was submitted this morning to the ICC, three days before Palestine’s ratification of the ICC Statute goes into effect (1 April 2015). While a preliminary examination by the ICC prosecutor into the situation in Gaza was initiated in January 2015 at the request of Palestine, FIDH hopes that in submitting the report, the ICC will take the case even further.
“It’s now time for ICC to move from a mere preliminary examination of the conflict to a full investigation. The Prosecutor must go to the field in order to appreciate the magnitude of the crimes committed", declared Shawan Jabbarin, FIDH Vice-President. “We all hope that April 1st will be a milestone in the fight against impunity in Palestine and Israel. Palestinian have been waiting for justice for far too long”.
The report compiles examples of indiscriminate and direct attacks against civilians and civilian objects, disproportionate to any concrete military advantage, as well as deliberate attacks targeting medical services, among other potential crimes. The report also presents several testimonies collected during field visits undertaken by the FIDH delegation. The team visited Rafah, Khan Younis, Beit Hanoun, and Gaza City, including Shuja’iya, where they took stock of the situation and met with victims of the military offensive.
In addition to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, the situations documented, such as the refusal of access to humanitarian relief, the targeting of residential areas, operational healthcare facilities and transport, and life-sustaining civilian infrastructure are consistent with violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
"Impunity is nothing but an invitation to commit further such crimes. It’s time for international justice to prevail over an unwilling national justice system", concluded FIDH President Karim Lahidji.
Download the PDF report “Trapped and Punished: The Gaza Civilian Population under Operation Protective Edge”
