(21 Nov 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Hague, Netherlands – 21 November 2024
1. Close of ICC sign
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Ammar Hijazi, Palestinian ambassador to the Netherlands:
"Well, the state of Palestine welcomes the decision by the pretrial chamber today. We believe that it is, a proof that justice and the long arm of justice will reach anyone who violates the norms that humanity decided that cannot be violated, especially the most egregious atrocities like war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is certainly, an important day also for humanity as a whole, because ‘never again’ today is being effectuated and being implemented, upheld by the pretrial chamber."
3. Wide of ICC headquarters
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ammar Hijazi, Palestinian ambassador to the Netherlands:
“We are sure that, some quarters will come and challenge and undermine the court, as we hear today, the threats towards the court. But, we also know that there are countries out there who already announced themselves and said that they will stand and respect what the court has said."
5. Wide of ICC headquarters
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ammar Hijazi, Palestinian ambassador to the Netherlands:
“It means that the Palestinian people know today that their cries and their efforts to reach to justice and accountability to the crimes committed against them are being implemented and advanced. Yes, justice sometimes take much longer than bullets and bombs, but at the end of the day, we have reached a point of no return. Today, accountability and justice have started, and we hope that this road will continue until we reach our independence and our freedom."
7. Person walking toward ICC headquarters, sign
STORYLINE:
A senior Palestinian official in the Netherlands praised Thursday a decision by the world’s top war-crimes court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over the war in the Middle East.
Ammar Hijazi, the Palestinian Authority ambassador in The Hague, called the move the start of "accountability and justice" for the Palestinian people.
The International Criminal Court’s warrants include Netanyahu, his former defense chief Yoav Gallant and Hamas’ military chief, and accused them of crimes against humanity in connection with the 13-month war in Gaza.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Hejazi said that decision showcases how the “long arm of justice will reach anyone who violates the norms that humanity decided that cannot be violated”.
He hoped that it will also be the first step of a "road" to establish a Palestinian state that assures their freedom.
However, Hijazi also predicted that there will be a backlash against the court," adding that certain countries will "challenge and undermine" its decision.
The action by the ICC came as the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza passed 44,000 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Their count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Experts say hunger has become widespread across Gaza and may have reached famine levels in the north of the territory, which is under siege by Israeli troops.
Netanyahu condemned the warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court.
In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.”
===========================================================
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/66f2346e97d34654a6f607cdd2aa7178
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in November 26, 2024, 6:05 pm.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
