«Israel» Bans Officials from Public Discussions on ICC Probe Strategy

By Staff, Agencies

The “Israeli” entity’s ministerial cabinet on Sunday decided to classify its discussions of the International Criminal Court’s expected investigation of war crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip, East al-Quds [Jerusalem] and the occupied West Bank, local media reported.

The move was initiated by “Israeli” entity’s so-called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Israeli” ministers speaking on condition of anonymity were cited as saying that public discussion and media coverage of the entity’s efforts to forestall the ICC from launching its probe could potentially compromise the entity’s national interests.

The “Israeli” cabinet was expected to convene later in the day for the second time for deliberations behind closed doors on a response strategy. 

The ICC's preliminary investigation has looked at the 2014 war which left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, the majority civilians, and 74 on the “Israeli” side, most of them soldiers. It has also looked at violence near the “Israel” entity-Gaza border in 2018.

A full ICC investigation could possibly lead to charges against individuals. States cannot be charged by the ICC.

The “Israeli” entity has refused to sign up to the Hague-based court since its creation in 2002.