CFI calls on UK Government to notify International Criminal Court about concerns over “politicised” Palestinian probe

CFI has called on the UK Government to notify the International Criminal Court about concerns over the Palestinians’ attempt to ‘politicise’ the Court, following public cautions from close allies Germany, Australia and the United States.

In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, CFI’s Parliamentary Chairmen Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP (Commons) and Rt. Hon. The Lord Pickles (Lords), and CFI’s Honorary President, Lord Polak CBE highlight concerns that as a non-state actor the Palestinians do not meet the legal requirements of the Rome Statute.

The ICC’s decision to open a war crimes probe would “set a dangerous precedent that could lead to prosecutions against the brave men and women of our [UK] armed forces” by non-state actors through the Court.

The move is identified as “counterproductive and contrary to the peace process” and they reiterate that the “only route to a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians is the resumption of direct negotiations without preconditions”.

The UK has until tomorrow – Friday 14th February – to request leave to file a written observation to the ICC, and CFI calls on the Government to do so and to raise important concerns about the ICC’s lack of jurisdiction over this matter and the dangerous precedent it would set.

ENDS

Note to Editors

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently undergoing a preliminary hearing on the Court’s jurisdiction over the Palestinian Territories, relating to a possible probe into alleged war crimes by Israel in the West Bank and Gaza.