A formal criminal investigation into war crimes allegations in Palestine is a “momentous step forward in the quest for accountability,” a UN human rights expert said Tuesday of the ICC’s decision, reports Anadolu Agency.
Israel Prevents UN Special Rapporteur Lynk from Traveling to Palestine (VIDEO) https://t.co/7thgXgyDwt via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/LonM2uF5sW
— Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 26, 2019
Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Territories Michael Lynk said in a statement:
“Accountability has, until now, been largely missing in action throughout the 52-year-old occupation”.
RT PalestineChron "BREAKING: #ICC to Investigate Israel for War Crimes in #Palestinian Territories (VIDEO) https://t.co/v5dHOnA8fy via PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/WHdc2AcoPH"
— Richard Hardigan (@RichardHardigan) December 23, 2019
He said that over the years, the international community adopted hundreds of resolutions through the UN condemning various features of Israel’s entrenched occupation of the Palestinian territory but it rarely combined criticism with consequences for Israel.
“Now, the possibility of accountability is finally on the horizon.”
International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced on December 20 she was “satisfied that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation into the situation in Palestine.”
(Middle East Monitor, PC, Social Media)
