Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the prosecutor, had initially said he lacked the legal basis to examine the case. But since the Palestinian Authority signed a commitment on Jan. 22 recognizing the court’s authority, the prosecutor has appeared more open to studying the Palestinian claim.
“The prosecutor has agreed to explore if he could have jurisdiction in the case,” said BĂ©atrice Le Fraper, the director of jurisdiction for the prosecution. She cautioned that accepting jurisdiction would not automatically set off a criminal investigation. “We are still very far from any decision; this is just the beginning of a long process,” she said.
The prosecutor has received more than 200 requests to look into allegations of war crimes during the recent fighting between Israel and Hamas militants. They include accusations from individuals and organizations that Israel violated the rules of war by singling out civilians and nonmilitary buildings, and by using weapons like white phosphorus illegally.
“Quite a few groups have sent experts to the region, people doing forensic work, studying explosives and other weapons,” she said. “The prosecutor can look at all open sources at this stage.”
Should a criminal investigation begin, the prosecution would send its own investigators, who would look into possible violations by both sides. Hamas’s practice of sending rockets into southern Israel, which often landed in civilian areas, might be viewed as a violation.
Just 'might be'? 'possible violations'?
Or maybe Hamasniks should simply stick to practicing the piano?
See here, too.
2 comments:
Four photos of yourself on your blog? A bit self-centered, no?
No. Hillel said: "if I am not for me, who will be for me then?" - Ethics of Fathers 1:14
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