Israeli spy chief ‘threatened’ ICC prosecutor over struggle crimes case: Report | Israel-Palestine battle Information

Report claims ex-Mossad chief tried to strain Fatou Bensouda into abandoning a 2021 struggle crimes probe.

The previous chief of Mossad threatened the Worldwide Prison Courtroom’s (ICC) chief prosecutor to attempt to get a 2021 struggle crimes probe dropped, a report has claimed.

Yossi Cohen, ex-chief of Israel’s Mossad overseas intelligence company, threatened the ICC’s former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in a sequence of secret conferences, an investigation by The Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday. The report tallies with others suggesting Israel and its primary Western allies have sought to strain worldwide justice our bodies.

Cohen’s covert contact to strain Bensouda passed off within the years main as much as her choice to open a proper probe into alleged struggle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity in occupied Palestinian territories, the report mentioned, citing quite a few nameless sources.

Final week, Bensouda’s successor, Karim Khan, utilized for an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu based mostly on that probe launched in 2021.

Khan introduced his workplace had “cheap grounds” to imagine that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Protection Minister Yoav Gallant bear “felony accountability” for “struggle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity”.

One particular person briefed on Cohen’s actions mentioned he had used “despicable techniques” in opposition to Bensouda as a part of an finally unsuccessful effort to intimidate and affect her.

In line with accounts shared with ICC officers, he’s alleged to have instructed her: “It’s best to assist us and allow us to maintain you. You don’t wish to be entering into issues that would compromise your safety or that of your loved ones.”

Khan additionally utilized for arrest warrants for 3 Hamas leaders – Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri (also referred to as Deif) and Ismail Haniyeh – for struggle crimes and crimes in opposition to humanity.

Israel will not be a member of the ICC and doesn’t recognise its jurisdiction.

Israel has additionally confronted accusations of genocide on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ), the best United Nations courtroom, which, just like the ICC, is predicated in The Hague.

Consultants imagine ICC indictments additional undermine the legitimacy of Israel’s struggle on Gaza and complicate its distinctive relationship with European allies who’re members of the Rome Statute.

However the US, the important thing ally of Israel, is believed to be shielding the Israeli authorities from the implications of its worldwide legislation violations.

US President Joe Biden known as Khan’s transfer in opposition to the Israeli officers “outrageous”. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recommended that the White Home could be keen to work with members of Congress on laws to penalise the worldwide tribunal.

A number of US lawmakers have additionally urged Washington to impose sanctions in opposition to the ICC after the courtroom’s request for the arrest warrants.

Palestinians concern that Israel and the US will strain ICC judges into rejecting Khan’s requests.