Tribunal calls on ICC to probe Israeli 'crimes' in Palestine

BRUSSELS (AFP) - The Russell Tribunal on Palestine (RToP) called on Sunday for the International Criminal Court to investigate "crimes" committed by Israel in the territories as it wrapped up four years of investigation.

Meeting in Brussels, the people's tribunal, which has no legal status but aims to draw international attention to Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, said it would "support all initiatives from civil society and international organisations aimed at bringing Israel in front of the International Criminal Court".

Since Palestine was awarded observer status at the UN in November, it can now file complaints against Israel with the ICC.

The tribunal also called on the ICC to recognise Palestinian jurisdiction and for an extraordinary session of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid, set up for South Africa, to this time examine the Israeli case.