RAMALLAH, Friday, December 20, 2019 (WAFA) – Reacting to remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he said the announcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into Israeli crimes in the occupied territories is a dark day for Israel, Foreign Minister Riyad Malki today totally agreed with him.

"Yes, this is a dark day in the history of Israel because the ICC decided, after having all the available evidence and proofs, that there was enough material to open a criminal investigation against Israel for committing what is considered war crimes and crimes against humanity," Malki said in a statement.

"Israel must learn from this decision because it has become a country that commits war crimes and crimes against humanity and has joined the club of rogue, outcast and criminal states that should be held accountable for those crimes."

Malki stressed that "the decision is a victory for justice and the Palestinian rights, and a victory for every Palestinian who was oppressed by the occupying power that committed war crimes and crimes against humanity against him."

He added, "As usual, Netanyahu hides behind the flimsy excuse and tries to claim that there is anti-Semitism when Israel is held accountable as an occupying Power for its crimes. This claim will not find its way in the International Criminal Court. It may succeed politically, through its allies in some European parliaments, but it is not legal when the law takes its course and when it looks at what Israel is doing as an occupying country in violation of international law, international humanitarian law, human rights laws, and international treaties, including the Geneva Conventions."

M.K.