A group of 20 Palestinians filed a criminal complaint against Israel with the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office, accusing them of obstructing the ICC’s investigation into alleged genocide in Gaza. This complaint stems from a collaborative investigation in May by The Guardian, +972 Magazine, and Local Call.
Barbara van Straaten, the group’s lawyer, explained that the complaint is based on Article 70 of the Rome Statute and Dutch criminal law. Since the ICC and the prosecutor’s office are on Dutch territory, Dutch courts will have jurisdiction over the case.
Israeli leaders and security forces allegedly engaged in a decade-long campaign to interfere with the ICC prosecutor’s office. This included attempts to bribe former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and conducting surveillance operations to gather information on the investigation.
The efforts to undermine the integrity of the ICC investigation have raised concerns about justice and accountability in the region. The complaint highlights the importance of upholding international law and ensuring that justice is served for all parties involved.