The group said in a statement on Monday that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held personally accountable for the inhuman treatment of Palestinians.
The group also hailed the Hague-based ICC’s decision in the spring of 2021 to open a war crimes investigation in the Palestinian lands, calling on the international community to end Israeli “atrocities before their consequences become irreversible.”
Tensions escalated across the Palestinian territories last month after an Israeli plan to force Palestinian families out of their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds drew mass protests and sparked off nearly two weeks of fighting between Israel and Palestinian resistance groups.
At least 253 Palestinians, including 66 children, were killed in the Israeli bombardments of the densely populated coastal enclave. Israel’s bombing campaign also brought widespread devastation to the already impoverished territory.
EMF said the Israeli prime minister's “inhuman orders and hate statements must receive the most serious and rigorous assessment from the standpoint of international humanitarian law,” urging that he must not be allowed to “escape punishment.”
The group finally called on Palestinian factions, Jewish organizations as well as human rights organizations in Europe and America “to work together to hold Netanyahu accountable to the fullest extent of the law and prevent the region from slipping into conflict.”
ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement on March 3 that her inquiry would be conducted “independently, impartially and objectively, without fear or favor.”
South Africa film festival boycotts Israeli productions
South Africa’s Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) said Monday it has decided to boycott Israeli cinematic productions, in protest against the recent bloody military onslaught on the Gaza Strip and continuing violations of Palestinian rights.
DIFF refused the participation of Israeli director Yakie Ayalon with his documentary "Eretz Go", which recounts the journey of an immigrant family from Nigeria to the Israeli occupied territories.
Ayalon received an email from the organizing committee of DIFF, which is scheduled to be held from July 22 to August 1, stating that the festival is committed to boycotting Israel, based on the festival's belief in social justice and the value of human rights and dignity.
The organizing committee also pledged to do whatever possible through available means to ensure international support for the Palestinian cause.
AP journalists condemn firing of colleague
Separately, more than 100 journalists at the Associated Press published an open letter, denouncing the news agency's decision to sack young news associate Emily Wilder over her criticism of Israel and support for the people of Palestine.
“We strongly disapprove of the way the AP has handled the firing of Emily Wilder and its days-long silence internally,” the journalists said in the letter.