ICC under pressure in Israel for 9 years.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is responsible for punishing those involved in genocide, human rights violations, and war crimes on a global scale. However, Israel continues to engage in relentless violence in Gaza, defying international law.
Even when the ICC sought to investigate them, Israel has pressured the court. By intimidating investigators with espionage, hacking, and threats, Israel has attempted to obstruct justice. For years, they have continued these actions. Recently, in a nine-year investigation of war crimes, various activities conducted by Israel have come to light through The Guardian.
The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, issued a warning when announcing the intention to issue arrest warrants against Israel and Hamas leaders. He emphasized that any attempts to obstruct the court's work through intimidation or fear tactics must cease immediately.
Karim Khan did not provide specific details regarding intervention methods against the ICC's work, but he mentioned a provision in the court's foundational principles. He stated that any obstruction to the court's functions would be considered a serious crime. He warned that if such misconduct continues, his office will not hesitate to prosecute those responsible.
While not directly naming Israel in his statement, the message was clear. Investigations by the Israeli-based magazine '+972' and some phone calls revealed that, over nine years, Israel had hacked into the ICC's personnel's emails, documents, and messages. Various types of threats were made to impede the investigation process.
Former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, had issued threats to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda. He pushed to refrain from investigating a war crime allegation in Palestinian territories controlled by Israel.
According to sources in The Guardian, Cohen had issued these threats in several secret meetings over the years. Due to this intimidation, Bensouda decided to formally launch an investigation into war crimes in Gaza and other regions in 2021. The investigation concluded last week, and it is believed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders have had arrest warrants issued against them.
It is speculated that the highest levels of the Israeli government approved these intimidation tactics against the ICC in the case involving the former Mossad chief. Considering the ICC as a threat to the judicial process for Israeli military personnel, Israel used intimidation tactics against the ICC as a strategic move. Therefore, such threats were considered consistent with their policy.
Another Israeli source has claimed that the purpose of this threat was to dissuade Bensouda from conducting an investigation or to gain her cooperation. Four sources have confirmed that Cohen warned Bensouda about the gradual and intimidating behavior of the ICC officials regarding Benussuda. Allegations have been made that Cohen told Bensouda, "It is in your interest to cooperate with us. You should not get involved in something that could result in threats to your or your family's security." One source described Cohen's tactics as "hostile." Among Mossad's tactics was the use of information about Bensouda's family relationships to threaten her reputation.
The revelation of this threat has caused concern among international legal experts. According to the Rome Statute, intimidating or threatening ICC officials can be considered a crime against the administration of justice. Through this Rome Statute, the ICC was established. Karim Khan recently cautioned that he would consider any attempt to obstruct or unduly influence the activities of the ICC. However, the Israeli government has denied the allegations and has deemed them baseless and politically motivated. On the other hand, both Cohen and Bensouda have denied commenting on this matter.
It is known that former President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo was involved in Mossad's operation against the ICC. He collaborated on this task.
