Brazil opposes ICC’s decision to probe Israeli war crimes

Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Sunday met his Brazilian counterpart Ernesto Araújo and thanked his country for its “steadfast position against the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to launch a war crimes probe” against ‘Israel’.

“I thank the Brazilian government for its firm stance against the ICC prosecutor’s decision,” Ashkenazi tweeted.

He added, “This is a decision that harms international law and reduces the possibility of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.”

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Thank you, FM @ernestofaraujo for your important visit.
I thank the Brazilian government for its firm stance against the ICC prosecutor's decision. This is a decision that harms international law and reduces the possibility of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/HJeg26kHEc

— גבי אשכנזי – Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) March 7, 2021

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda said on Wednesday that she launched a formal probe into war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“The investigation will cover crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court that are alleged to have been committed in the Situation since 13 June 2014, the date to which reference is made in the Referral of the Situation to my Office,” she added.

Ashkenazi and Araujo further discussed Middle East developments, Ashkenazi stipulating landmark changes that have taken place after four Arab nations — the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco — normalized ties, known as the Abraham Accords.

Ashkenazi warned of increasing Iranian efforts in recent days to destabilize the region.

“We clearly identify Iran’s fingerprints in recent attempts to harm Israeli targets around the world. The international community must ensure that Iran ceases its efforts to reach the threshold of military nuclear technology and fulfills its commitments to the last detail,” Ashkenazi said.

Also, Israeli media reported that a delegation led by Brazilian FM arrived to learn about a nasal spray being developed by the occupation state to treat COVID-19, as well as how the occupation government and medical facilities are fighting the pandemic.