In a landmark ruling on Friday 5 February, the International Criminal Court (ICC) recognised its full legal authority to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
This is an important victory for the Palestinian people, who have been denied their right to self-determination for decades. It is also a victory for defenders of human rights and proponents of justice and accountability across the world.
According to the decision, Palestine qualifies as a full and valid state party to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding document, and can thus can be engaged with in the same way as any other state.
