ICC Assembly Reaffirms Commitment to Uphold Principals, Investigate Potential War Crimes in Palestine

The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the principles and values of the Rome Statute and ensuring the court’s integrity remains intact. Despite recent criticism from Israel, the Assembly declared that the court will not be deterred by threats and will continue its investigation into possible war crimes in Palestine.

The Assembly expressed concern over attempts to undermine the court’s independence, impartiality, and integrity. They called on all states to respect the independence and impartiality of the ICC, emphasizing that fiscal and judicial independence are essential components of the rule of law.

This statement comes in response to recent comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who criticized the possibility of the ICC taking action against Israeli political and military officials over events in the Gaza Strip. While Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and does not recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction, Palestine has been a member since 2015, allowing the court to investigate potential war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza.

The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, has launched an investigation into events in the occupied Palestinian territories since 2014 that could constitute war crimes. The Assembly’s statement underscores