International Criminal Court to probe possible war crimes in Palestine

The ICC has just announced that it will open preliminary investigations into possible war crimes in the Palestinian Territories. If deemed suitable, the ICC would then proceed to open up a full investigation into the allegations which could lead to Palestinian and Israeli individuals being charged for war crimes.

This news is encouraging, and i do hope that the ICC proceeds with a full investigation into potential war crimes committed by both nations. I think the situation could result in increased chances of a Palestinian state, while also encouraging increased cooperation between Israel and Palestine once things are sorted out.

Prosecutors at the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) will open a preliminary inquiry into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories, the first formal step that could lead to charges against officials there and in Israel, the court has said.

They will determine whether preliminary findings merit a full investigation into alleged atrocities, which could result in charges against individuals on either the Israeli or Palestinian side.

The ICC recently accepted Palestine as a member, clearing the way for war crimes in the occupied territories to be investigated.

www.aljazeera.com...

a reply to: daaskapital

Apparently Jimmy Carter has been calling for this as well...

Even called for investigating Hamas as well as Israel...


Although to be fair, he is a bit of a loony.





Imagine seeing Netanyahi hung for his crimes against Humanity...

They did it to Saddam, they're of the same ilk... So why not?


His Likud party even upped the rhetoric claiming they will leave Lebanon under rubble and send them to the Stone Age...


To think these are World leaders is a disgrace for 2015!!!


Hang em high!

originally posted by: daaskapital
This news is encouraging, and i do hope that the ICC proceeds with a full investigations into potential war crimes committed by both nations. l

Both nations...that's key. And if Palestine is willing to put its actions on the line, it would be a mite incongruous for the Israeli government to claim the moral high ground, yet undermine a process of accountability. I hope sanity prevails.

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

It is a sad situation when many of the world's leaders and state representatives have extreme mindsets and threaten to employ force because of their twisted views.

I do hope that the ICC investigations remain free from corruptible influences though. I also hope that the investigations are undertaken in a manner in which things aren't waved off or swept under the rug. This is a topic spanning decades, with potential war crimes committed by both parties. It should be a long investigation with no punches pulled.

a reply to: JohnnyCanuck

Yes, a full and frank investigation into the actions of both nations is key to sufficiently determining progress between Palestine and Israel. It would also do much to legitimise Palestine as a state, depending on the investigation results.

As far as i am aware, Palestine is fully supportive of investigations into itself and Israel. It is the state which applied for membership in order to petition the investigation, after all. Israel isn't too happy though, which speaks for their intentions and worries...

a reply to: daaskapital

This is a topic spanning decades

I do hope the ICC are on your wavelength with that one Daas...

It needs to be a long drawn out affair, rather than a rushed glance...

Otherwise there will be no justice for any victims caught up in this mess.

International community shouldn't be afraid/discouraged by Israel and US threats against any kind of investigation for what happened last summer in Palestine.

I hope they analyze the resistance of the Palestinians to the ongoing massacre/opression/tyranny perpetrated by the Israeli governments since the first occupation, in accordance with Jus Cogens principles or international peremptory norms, such as:
1) THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
2)Geneva Conventions and
3) Every International law or conventions broken they could find.

We should not be mistaken about who is the victim and the abuser:



Israel accused of war crimes during campaign in Gaza
Israeli forces displayed ‘callous indifference’ in deadly attacks on family homes in Gaza
Russell Tribunal - Israeli officials appear to have been guilty of Incitement to Genocide
US wants to tell Palestine not to address the UN, neither today nor in the future.

a reply to: CharlieSpeirs

I absolutely agree. No short look will do the investigations and victims justice. It needs to be properly undertaken. Indeed, if it is, i predict we will see a fair few people complicit in the allegations and/or charges.

a reply to: voyger2

Last i heard, the ICC will be looking at the recent war between Israel and Hamas, which is a good thing. It would be interesting to see what they bring up about Israeli allegations towards Hamas and Palestine though, especially considering the fact that Israel effectively started the recent war and is in continuous violation of international legislations regarding their status as an occupying power.

That said, i also expect Hamas to be called out for indiscriminate rocket launches. But i honestly can't think of much more they would be nailed for, besides the killings of innocent civilians. The tunnels and human shields excuses won't hold much water, in my opinion. The tunnels were mostly used to attack military installations, and the human shields argument doesn't work because of 1) the population and land size of Gaza, and 2) the tactics used by Israel to fight Hamas there.

We will see though. I hope the investigation is an in depth one, consisting of analyses regarding disputes and large events between the two nations. It is the only way it should be done, in my opinion.

a reply to: daaskapital

That's the thing...

A lot of people who weren't paying attention think the Airstrikes were a response the rockets...


They were actually a response to the 3 Jewish Teens who were kidnapped & murdered...
Then the rockets started flying...


Now;
1) Airstrikes for that are defined as "collective punishment" by International Law..
2) I've never heard of a Country bombing another Country in response to citizens being murdered...
Usually it would be a diplomatic approach towards extradition and a trial against the killers...


I don't know how Israel will be able to defend the 2014 Gaza War to be honest!

a reply to: daaskapital

Daas, I agree with your perspective about it and notice my following view:

For what I know Hamas was democratically elected by the Palestinian people to represent and defend themselves from the occupier. So, In my opinion, based on that fact, I don’t seem them has a terrorist organization, but a resistance to occupation, where by Jus Cogens principles of International law, they can defended themselves with all the means necessary to their survival.

So, one of the main issues will be to define terrorism and verify if it fits in Hamas, needed to prove actions.

Take a look at this video link about the international difficult to achieve consensus on the definition of terrorism (start at mark 04:40 minutes).

Edit:
According to the General Court of the European Union decided Hamas should no longer be included on an influential list of international terrorist organizations.
Hamas removed from list of terrorist organisations by EU court
EU court removes Hamas from terror blacklist

well like you said this is good. But what I hope doesn't happen is that they find only one side is guilty in committing war crimes. Because that could lead to see your wrong were right your bad were good,

Like you said I hope both nation's get charged with crimes.

a reply to: daaskapital

I think the situation could result in increased chances of a Palestinian state, while also encouraging increased cooperation between Israel and Palestine once things are sorted out.

To be fair, they been "sorting it out" for ever.

The never ending "peace process" .

Should be a clue. Don't mind the rantings of an old man.

I'd be surprised if anything really comes of this. It's being going on for years. It's also quite hypocritical of us in the west to expect or demand investigations in to other nations affairs when our own actions have been downright illegal and immoral and haven't really been investigated. And yes I do mean war crimes. This isn't a problem that is going to go away any time soon.

Does this even mean anything?
Israel has not ratified the Rome Statute yet and has even withdrawn his signing of it.
That means they will not accept the ruling in any way.

originally posted by: sg1642
I'd be surprised if anything really comes of this. It's being going on for years. It's also quite hypocritical of us in the west to expect or demand investigations in to other nations affairs when our own actions have been downright illegal and immoral and haven't really been investigated. And yes I do mean war crimes. This isn't a problem that is going to go away any time soon.

It's not as if the US and Canadian governments have been supportive of the Palestinians in this effort.

Let's be honest here. Nothing will come of this. No charges will be filed against Israel. Maybe Palestine... but not Israel. They have proved that they are untouchable. And to add.. the United States of Isra.. America won't let anything happen to their "little buddy".

originally posted by: JohnnyCanuck

originally posted by: sg1642
I'd be surprised if anything really comes of this. It's being going on for years. It's also quite hypocritical of us in the west to expect or demand investigations in to other nations affairs when our own actions have been downright illegal and immoral and haven't really been investigated. And yes I do mean war crimes. This isn't a problem that is going to go away any time soon.

It's not as if the US and Canadian governments have been supportive of the Palestinians in this effort.

Certainly haven't mate. What I meant was we aren't so perfect and smelling of roses ourselves so who are we to judge Israel or the Palestinians.

originally posted by: intrptr
a reply to: daaskapital

I think the situation could result in increased chances of a Palestinian state, while also encouraging increased cooperation between Israel and Palestine once things are sorted out.

To be fair, they been "sorting it out" for ever.

The never ending "peace process" .

Should be a clue. Don't mind the rantings of an old man.

Yes, that is a problem. I meant that it could do a lot to help cooperation once all the weeds are uprooted - once the governments are purged and individuals held responsible. There are elements on both sides who would very much like to settle the situation. I believe that if the investigations are thorough enough, it is possible to finally come to a cooperative standpoint.

originally posted by: aLLeKs
Does this even mean anything?
Israel has not ratified the Rome Statute yet and has even withdrawn his signing of it.
That means they will not accept the ruling in any way.

I can't remember the details, but i think Israel can still be punished as long as Palestine becomes recognised in the ICC, and that it commissions investigations into war crimes between the two. Both of which seem to have been met. Additionally, states which have not signed such treaties can still be dragged before the courts. We've seen similar moves towards doing so with North Korea.

a reply to: daaskapital

I believe that if the investigations are thorough enough, it is possible to finally come to a cooperative standpoint.

What "investigations"? Not that any are really necessary, people who have any conscious at all, who study history at all, know that Israel is an occupier. Deal with that and you solve the problem. Everything stemming from that basic fact is symptomatic and a distraction. "Palestinians" (Gazans, whatever) aren't going to ever capitulate. Would you if a foreign country occupied your homeland and murdered your fellow countrymen?

No one is ever going to open discussions about occupation and "Palestine", just like no one is ever going to call the US government to task for all the nations its military occupies. The best they ever are offered is a promise to discuss shared rights to "Palestine".

Once they agree to a "new" peace process, everyone goes back to sleep, until next time. Thats what I have seen my whole life over and again, can't get fooled anymore about some promise to "open discussions". If you live as long as I you will come to understand this, too.