While the Palestinian administration described the decision as "historical", there was a reaction from the Zionist regime and the USA. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh described the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision that "it is authorized to investigate war crimes committed by Israel" as "the victory of justice and humanity".
The International Criminal Court has ruled that the court has jurisdiction in the Palestinian territories. In the decision, it was emphasized that Palestine is a state party to the Rome Statute. Gaza, the West Bank, and the east of Jerusalem were included in the Palestinian territories included in the investigation. In the decision, it was announced that Palestine would be treated like other member states. The International Criminal Court had completed its preliminary examination of Israel's war crimes in Palestinian territory on December 20, 2019. Attorney General Fatou Bensouda had asked the first instance office to decide whether the court had jurisdiction in the occupied territories covered by the investigation.
"HISTORICAL DAY"
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh described the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision that "it is authorized to investigate war crimes committed by Israel" as "the victory of justice and humanity".
Istiyye stated that the decision of the ICC carries the message that the crimes committed will not expire and the perpetrators will not go unpunished. Palestinian Justice Minister Mohammed Fahed al-Shalaldah said that the ICC's decision is a historic decision. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also defined the decision as "the historic day for the principle of accountability".
RESPONSE FROM ISRAEL AND THE USA
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu reacted to the ICC's decision that Israel is authorized to open an investigation into alleged war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories under occupation and blockade.
In his written statement, Netanyahu said, "The ICC has proved once again that it is not a judicial institution but a political body."
Reminding that Israel is not a member of the ICC, Netanyahu continued as follows:
"The ICC ignores real war crimes and instead follows Israel, a state with a strong, democratic government that sanctifies the rule of law. With this decision, the ICC violated the democracies' right to defend themselves against terrorism and fell into the hands of those who undermine their efforts to expand the circle of peace."
US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price, on the other hand, reacted to the decision and claimed that the jurisdiction of the court should be exclusive to countries with consent and the request of the UN Security Council.
The ICC's first degree department's announcement that it has the authority to investigate war crimes in the Palestinian territories of Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem caused discomfort in the USA.
Price, "We have serious concerns about the ICC's attempt to exercise its authority over Israeli personnel. Our stance is always that the court should be exclusive to the consenting countries and the UN Security Council's request," he added.