Israel intends to call on dozens of allies to send a “discreet message” to International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Fatou Bensouda tomorrow and urges him not to move forward with an investigation into Israel’s alleged war crimes in the West Bank. , Gaza and East Jerusalem, two Israeli officials say in Axios.
Why it’s important: Israel is deeply concerned that any investigation could lead to international arrest warrants against Israeli officials and the military. Israelis are also concerned that this investigation will drive BDS campaigns against Israel.
Driving the news: The Israeli foreign ministry on Sunday sent a classified cable to dozens of Israeli ambassadors around the world with instructions to launch a pressure effort around Friday’s ruling by ICC judges, which paved the way for an investigation against Israel.
- Israeli officials said the cable was designated “Urgent” and included an instruction for ambassadors to come to the office on Sunday to read the classified cable and begin contacting the governments of the countries in which they are posted.
- On cable, Israeli ambassadors were instructed to ask foreign ministers and heads of government from countries where public statements of opposition to the judges ’decision were published. So far only the US and Australia have issued such statements.
What they say: “The United States opposes the ICC decision on the Palestinian situation. Israel is not a state party to the Rome Statute. We will continue to maintain President Biden’s strong commitment to Israel and its security, including opposing actions. trying to attack Israel unfairly, “State Department spokesman Ned Price said Friday.
- The cable included another delicate instruction to encourage governments to put political pressure on the ICC prosecutor. “We ask that (governments) send a discreet message to the prosecutor asking him not to move forward with the investigation against Israelis and not to give this case a high priority,” the cable says.
- “You have been instructed to explain to the highest levels of government that if an investigation is initiated against Israel, an ongoing crisis will be created between Israel and the Palestinian Authority that will not allow any diplomatic progress between the parties.” said the cable.
What follows: Ambassadors were asked to tell friendly countries that Israel wants to open special channels of dialogue that focus on the ICC issue.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to send letters to dozens of leaders around the world asking for their support to counter any investigation. Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi are expected to make a phone call to several of his counterparts in the major world powers and allies to discuss the issue.
Flashback: Bensouda announced potential investigation into Israel and Hamas for alleged war crimes during the 2014 war in Gaza, as well as the construction of West Bank settlements by Israel in December 2019, and Israel and the Trump administration they immediately began trying to mobilize the opposition to try to convince the judges to block it.