Jerusalem is preparing to deal with the decision in The Hague that endangers Israel • Among the options: preventing researchers from arriving in Judea and Samaria

• International Criminal Court in The Hague // Photo: Reuters

The absurd tribunal: Great rage in Israel and the US following the decision of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Pato Basuda of Gambia, that there is an infrastructure to open an investigation into war crimes, allegedly committed in Judea, Samaria and Gaza.

"This is a black day for truth and justice," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "turning the ICC into a fight against Israel. We want to turn the fact that Jews live in Israel, in their homeland, into a war crime. It's absurd."

Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz joined the rage on the tribunal, saying: "I served Israel for 38 years. I unequivocally state that the IDF is one of the most moral armies in the world. The IDF and the State of Israel do not commit war crimes. "

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said: "This is not a trial, it is a persecution. The ICC's decision reflects the anti-Israeli bias rooted in The Hague.

A senior Jerusalem official told "Israel Today" that "the plaintiff has taken an unimaginable step. The Tribunal was set up to deal with the most horrific crimes known to mankind following the Nazi acts of World War II, and is now considering investigating the construction of a home for a family somewhere in the Middle East. Unthinkable. " However, he noted that "panic should not be taken. It is a difficult event but there are tools to deal with." In general, it is estimated in Jerusalem that it will take a very long time before investigations are opened, if at all.

In Jerusalem it is estimated that the judges will adopt the plaintiff's position, but the procedure is expected to take at least several months. If and when the decision is made to open an investigation, it is likely to encounter multiple difficulties.

Among other things, the court's investigators will find it difficult to reach the arenas in question, since Israel has the ability to prevent them from entering the areas in question. In any case, the foundation is expected to end its term in a year, while the court's investigations continue for years. It should be noted that on the side of the complaints against Israel, there are pending inquiries by pro-Israel attorneys against the PA and its officials for their involvement in the attacks. This week, discussions will be held at the political and professional levels on what policy to take against the tribunal. Among other things, he will consider whether to cooperate with him even though Israel is not a member of the tribunal, or move to full detachment.

Pompeo: "unfair"

In the United States, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo referred to the Hague Tribunal's decision. "Plaintiff's statement raises questions about her ability to investigate Israel, which is not within its jurisdiction," Pompeo said, adding, "We strongly oppose the unwarranted and unfair investigation against Israel."

In Israel, the US government hopes to use tools at its disposal for tribunal employees if proceedings against Israel do proceed. Apart from the US, Israel is expected to appeal to other countries that are in tension with the tribunal, to convey the message that it should not become a body that intervenes in political conflicts. These are countries such as the United Kingdom and Russia, which are also undergoing judicial review.

John Bolton, who was President Trump's national security adviser, also responded. "The United States must resist the court's efforts to violate authority against Israel," Bolton read.

Among the Palestinians, as expected, they welcomed the request of the court. "It's a big day because our rights are what we want," commented PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas. "This is a historic day, and now every Palestinian affected by Israel has the opportunity to appeal." Hamas also shared praise for the decision. Step in the right direction. "

Court: "No authority"

Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit firmly rejected the decision of the court. "Israel is a democratic state of law, committed to and respected by international law and humanitarian values. This commitment has stood firm for decades, through all the difficult challenges and times Israel faces," Mandelblit said. "A strong and independent legal system, whose name goes before it all over the world. There is no room for international judicial intervention in this situation on the part of the tribunal, which should have dealt with the most serious atrocities in places where the rule of law collapsed."

The court concluded that "in these circumstances, the fact that the court prosecutor chose to advance proceedings in the State of Israel following the appeal of the Palestinian Authority - is unacceptable."

Participating in the report were: Shahar Kleiman, Daniel Roth-Avnery and Yair Altman