Israel’s Ashkenazi on diplomatic blitz against ICC ruling
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi is busy calling counterparts worldwide, to convince them to object the ICC ruling on judging Israel for alleged war crimes.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague ruled Feb. 5 that despite Israeli objection it can investigate alleged war crimes perpetrated in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Since then, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has been busy calling his counterparts across the globe. He is campaigning relentlessly against the ruling.
Shortly after the decision, Ashkenazi published a harsh reaction, stating that it turns the ICC into a political tool of anti-Israeli propaganda. "We call upon all nations that value the international legal system, and object to its political exploitation, to respect the sovereign rights of states not to be subjected to the Court’s jurisdiction. The State of Israel will take every necessary measure to protect its citizens," he added.
A first public opportunity came on Feb. 8, when Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias arrived in Jerusalem, to conclude an agreement with Israel over mutually opening frontiers for people vaccinated against the coronavirus. Diplomatic sources confirmed that the issue of the ICC was discussed at length in the private meeting between the two ministers.
The same evening, Ashkenazi spoke over the phone with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Ashkenazi did not need to convince Blinken. Shortly after the ruling, State Department spokesman Ned Price made it clear that the United States objects to it, reminding everyone that Israel is not a state party to the Rome Statute. "We will continue to uphold President Biden's strong commitment to Israel and its security, including opposing actions that seek to target Israel unfairly," tweeted Price.
