Israel intends to ask dozens of allies to send a “discreet message” to Fatou Bensouda, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), tomorrow and to urge her not to proceed with an investigation against Israel over alleged war crimes in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, two Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: Israel is very concerned that any investigation could lead to international arrest warrants against Israeli officers and military personnel. Israelis are also concerned that such an investigation will boost BDS campaigns against Israel.
Driving the news: Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a confidential telegram to dozens of Israeli ambassadors around the world on Sunday with instructions to start a lobbying effort around Friday’s decision by ICC judges, which paved the way for an investigation against Israel.
- Israeli officials said the telegram was classified as “Urgent” and included an instruction that ambassadors should come to the office on Sunday to read the confidential telegram and begin contacting the governments of the countries where they are posted.
- In the cable, Israeli ambassadors were instructed to ask foreign ministers and heads of government in the countries where they were posted to issue public statements opposing the judges’ decision. So far, only the US and Australia have issued such statements.
What they are saying: “The US is opposed to the ICC’s decision regarding the Palestinian situation. Israel is not a State Party to the Rome Statute. We will continue to defend President Biden’s strong commitment to Israel and its security, including opposition actions that target Israel unfairly. “State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Friday.
- The telegram included another sensitive instruction to encourage governments to exert political pressure on the ICC prosecutor. “We ask that (governments) send a discreet message to the prosecutor asking her not to proceed with the investigation against Israelis and not to give this case a high priority,” says the corporal.
- “You are instructed to tell the highest echelons of the government that if an investigation against Israel begins, it will create a continuing crisis between Israel and the Palestinian Authority that will not allow any diplomatic progress to take place between the parties,” said the corporal.
What is the next: Ambassadors were asked to tell friendly countries that Israel wants to open special channels for 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 contain any investigation. Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi are expected to make calls to several of his counterparts in the main world powers and allies to discuss the matter.
Flashback: Bensouda announced the potential investigation into Israel and Hamas over alleged war crimes during the 2014 war in Gaza, as well as Israel’s construction of West Bank settlements in December 2019, and Israel and the Trump administration immediately started trying to mobilize the opposition to try to convince the judges to block it.