The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has announced she will launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian Territories, prompting a fierce backlash from Israel.
In a statement on Friday, Fatou Bensouda said the impending probe could result in charges against Israelis and Palestinians. “I am satisfied that … war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip,” she said.
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Bensouda added that because the Palestinian Territories had requested the intervention of the court she did not need to request approval from judges to start an investigation.
However, she has asked the ICC’s pre-trial chamber to rule on what exactly it can investigate.
Furious, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed back, claiming the “court has no jurisdiction”.
“This is a dark day for truth and justice. It is a baseless and outrageous decision,” he said.
