In recent events of the Palestine-Israel conflict, Palestine has signed on to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It’s a bold move by the ICC more than Palestine; and it’s causing the expected consequences and accusations from Israel. Thus far, $127 million dollars of Palestinian revenue collected via taxes has been frozen by Israel, as a response. The United States have also denounced the action, voicing their disapproval on the latest move to recognize Palestine as a country.
By signing on to the Rome Statute, Palestine becomes accountable for their actions, namely war crimes, and so does Israel. The ICC haven’t hesitated in already launching an immediate preliminary investigation into the war crimes in Palestine.
“Gaining status at the ICC will serve as a preventive measure, for Israel to understand that it can’t continue without accountability and that it will have to take into consideration consequences of its actions,” Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi stated. “Because for the first time, [Israel] is going to be held accountable.”[1]
The U.S. State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke also issued a strong statement against the decision on January 16, stating:
“We strongly disagree with the ICC Prosecutor’s action today. 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. It is a tragic irony that Israel, which has withstood thousands of terrorist rockets fired at its civilians and its neighborhoods, is now being scrutinized 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.”[2]
But it is a disapproval shadowed and isolated by 135 countries who are now acknowledging and recognizing Palestine as a formal state. [3]
The official date for the membership to the ICC is technically April 1st, however, the Palestine formally accepted the court’s decision and jurisdiction in January. It’s important to note upon this acceptance, the ICC have the right to investigate any and all crimes in Palestine dating back to June 13 2014, a month before the assault on Gaza.
[1] Speri, A. (2015, January 20). Palestinian Leaders Are Taking Their Quest for Statehood Global — Consequences Be Damned. [Vice News]. Retrieved from https://news.vice.com/article/palestinian-leaders-are-taking-their-quest-for-statehood-global-consequences-be-damned
[2] U.S Department of State official website. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/01/236082.htm
[3] Oakford, S. (2015, January 18). International Criminal Court Opens Preliminary Probe Into War Crimes in Palestine. [Vice News]. Retrieved from https://news.vice.com/article/international-criminal-court-opens-preliminary-investigation-into-war-crimes-in-palestine
“The place to resolve the differences between the parties is through direct negotiations, not unilateral actions by either side. ”
Let that sink in.