German official: Israeli reaction to ICC probe 'counterproductive'

Top German human rights officials described the Israeli reaction to the ICC investigation into possible Israeli war crimes in Palestinian territories “counterproductive”.

In an interview with IPG Journal published yesterday, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid Christoph Strässer said: “Israel’s reaction was counterproductive.”

“Israel has launched its own investigations and should in my view cooperate with the ICC.” He noted that the situation on the ground in the Gaza Strip is “worse than we watch on mass media,” saying he visited the region and saw facts with his bare eyes.

Strässer added: “As far as the effort to suspend funding for the court goes, I can only warn against adopting this proposal.” He noted that the ICC was established to reveal the reality of such incidents.

The Prosecutor of The Hague-based ICC, Fatou Bensouda announced that she has opened a preliminary investigation into the “situation in Palestine” after the Palestinian government lodged claims of war crimes against Israel.