CFI has called on the UK Government to “go further” and
“challenge” the International Criminal Court’s controversial
announcement of an investigation into alleged war crimes by
Israel.
In a letter to Prime Minister , CFI labels the decision of the ICC’s outgoing
Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda as a threat to UK interests. The
“dangerous precedent” raises the possibility that non-state
actors will be able to “pursue vexatious claims against [the UK]
and our brave armed forces”.
CFI’s Parliamentary Chairmen, Rt. Hon. (Commons)
and Rt. Hon. The (Lords) and CFI Honorary President CBE assert that
“we should stand by our close ally and friend Israel”. The letter
emphasises that: “In our [the UK] own interests, we cannot afford
to allow this to go unchallenged”.
Recognising that the UK Government “rightly speaks about the need
for reform of the ICC”, the letter calls for the UK to “now go
one step further” and condemn the decision.
The full letter can be found enclosed and here.
In a separate statement, CFI’s Parliamentary Chairmen, Rt. Hon.
(Commons)
and Rt. Hon. The (Lords) and CFI Honorary President CBE said:
“The International Criminal Court’s controversial decision to
pursue an investigation into Israel will receive strong
international criticism. This investigation sets a dangerous
precedent for non-state actors to pursue vexatious claims against
this country and our brave armed forces. The Government rightly
speaks about the need for reform of the ICC, but it must now go
further. In our own interest we cannot afford to allow this to go
unchallenged. We must stand with our close friend Israel as we
would expect our friends to do with us”.
