Israel lobbies foreign powers to cut ICC funding

[Jesus Malverde]

Source: Reuters

Israel is lobbying member-states of the International Criminal Court to cut funding for the tribunal in response to its launch of an inquiry into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories, officials said on Sunday.

ICC prosecutors said on Friday they would examine "in full independence and impartiality" crimes that may have occurred since June 13 last year. This allows the court to delve into the war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza in July-August 2014 that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and 70 Israelis.

The decision came after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in the absence of peace talks and against strong opposition from Israel and the United States, requested ICC membership, which comes into effect on April 1.

Israel, which like the United States does not belong to the ICC, hopes to dent funding for the court that is drawn from the 122 member-states in accordance with the size of their economies, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday.


Read more: http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0KR06720150118?irpc=932

[marmar]

1. How roguish.

[atreides1]

2. What is Israel afraid of?

I don't see any history of the ICC being accused of anti-semetism!

Let the investigation run its course and take it for what it is.

[Stephen Retired]

4. The truth

In fact, Bibi's Regime is TERRIFIED of it.

[Fred Sanders]

9. I do not get it either. This is a court of Justice, the best lawyers and investigators and judges.

What ARE they so foaming at the mouth afraid of?

[lark]

13. They know what they did

and they know they are totally guilty and that their acts would be condemned if truly exposed.

[on point]

3. Criminals trying to put a thumb on the scales of justice.

[bahrbearian]

5. Bebe has a right to Defend himself!

But He will not do it in court.

[karynnj]

6. This is the first time that I am glad the US is not a member (though it should be)

As a non member, we clearly do not contribute -- so there will be no costly pressure put on our President to cut funding. (Costly - because if he didn't, there would be a huge political cost; if he gave in, a huge cost in being seen as credible on this important issue.)

It will be interesting to see how many "friends" Netanyahu finds in the ICC. Not to mention, threatening the court seems pretty bad optics.

[RationalMan]

7. It is unfortunate that Israel....

does not welcome an open and thorough investigation if they have nothing to fear.

From what I know of the ICC, a petition for an investigation may be brought either by an ICC member country or by referral from the UN. The Palestinian Authority joined so, as a member state, they could ask for an investigation based on evidence provided. As Israel is not a member state I believe the only way they could ask for an investigation into actions by the Palestinian Authority would be to seek a referral from the UN. As Israel is in violation of several existing UN resolutions I doubt that would be possible.

Everyone here knows that the Palestinians and Israelis have both engaged in warfare against each other for decades. Israel to defend herself and her people and Palestinians against their economic and political isolation. Neither has clean hands.

If I were a betting man I suspect the ICC will find Israel committed some crimes listed in the ICC charter. As Israel is not a member of the ICC and the matter was not referred by the UN, they are under no legal obligation to turn anyone convicted over to the ICC.

So the findings/verdict of the ICC will be similar to the violations of several UN resolutions, a public relations matter for Israel but of no real consequence.

But for Israel to lobby others to stop funding the ICC because, gasp, the Palestinians joined the ICC and, following ICC procedure, asked that an investigation be opened and the ICC has at least nominally agreed, is nothing but hardball geopolitics. Rather than submit to an open and thorough investigation during which Israel would be allowed to present their own evidence, they are essentially wanting to shut down the process. This is like the GOP threatening to defund the Department of Homeland Security in order to rob the department of resources to give effect to Obama's recent announcements on immigration.

I recognize Israel's right to defend herself but also believe that right has to be done in a manner that takes account of the plight of the Palestinians who were thrown off lands their ancestors had held for generations. I am not passing judgment either way but believe when one side tries to shut down a transparent, international investigation in its actions, it raises serious questions.

[Fred Sanders]

10. Excellent. Since then IDF is the "most human war machine ever", here is the chance to prove it was

not just propaganda gone wild.

Guilty folk avoid trials, innocent folks demand one.

[Jefferson23]

8. Recommend. K&R

[TRoN33]

11. Whoa, really, Israel?

Gee, thanks W. Bush and Cheney. They set the new trends for allowing leaders to escape the accountability of their actions that result in death of countless innocent women, children, and men. It makes me sick. Netanyahu is one friggin fascist.

Israel, your actions in past seven years are the reasons why I'm going with Palestine and Arabs and that will never change for me. Netanyahu and his Likud thugs are friggin fascists. I can't stand them.

[PumpkinAle]

12. ...........does not belong to the ICC

Netanyahu and his cronies are sanctimonious little bastards aren't they?

I do hope the ICC tells them to get lost.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

14. Gangsters tampering with the jury nt

[Purveyor]

15. kick. Thanks for posting. +1 eom

[kelliekat44]

17. Yes. Israel can well afford to support itself without outside help. nt