The Arab League has welcomed a decision by the International Criminal Court’s First Pre-Trial Chamber that the ICC had jurisdiction over the situation in the Palestinian territories.
ICC’s rule, which covers the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip, paves the way for the tribunal to open a war crimes investigation.
Saeed Abou Ali, assistant secretary-general for Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories Affairs at the Arab League, confirmed in a press statement on Saturday that the ICC’s decision is the culmination of diplomatic efforts made by Palestine.
These efforts have come at the hands of its various official and human rights institutions, which have received full Arab support and the solidarity of friendly international institutions, he said.
Their serious and relentless efforts have taken place for the sake of achieving prompt justice, Abou Ali was quoted as saying in the statement.
He expressed hope that ICC’s rule would “contribute to protecting the Palestinian people from the ongoing aggression and violations of the occupation.”
At the same time, the decision will ensure that those responsible for crimes such as settlement and aggression against Gaza are held responsible, he said.
“Also covered by the decision are crimes against prisoners and others, leading to the restoration of all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to end the occupation. It will work towards achieving freedom and independence in the Palestinian territories, with East Jerusalem as capital.”
Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoomi also underscored the significance of mobilizing the necessary international efforts to reach a conclusive and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause.
He hoped for a two-state solution with Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital.
