The Hague Court approves war crimes inquiry against Israel

The International Court at The Hague Friday recognized the Palestinian Authority as a state with locations under the court’s jurisdiction, namely the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. The investigation, according to the decision’s announcement, will look into high-ranking government and army officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and chiefs-of-staff, past and present. According to the court, the Rome Statute is applicable to war crimes alleged to have been committed by Israel. Israel has denied committing war crimes and claims the court is not competent to judge the petition submitted by the Palestinians since, one, it is not a state, and, two, Israel is not a signatory of the Rome Treaty and not bound by its provisions.