Israeli officials said on Saturday that Tel Aviv was coordinating with Washington in their responses to the threat both countries face against the possibility of war crimes suits being brought before the Hague’s International Criminal Court.
Israel’s Channel 13 news said Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz led a team that landed in Washington on Thursday for talks on coordinating a joint US-Israeli campaign to counter a potential ICC investigation into alleged war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Steinitz is in charge of coordinating the Israeli response to the ICC.
The minister was accompanied by Deputy National Security Adviser Reuven Azar. Reports said both men met with officials at the White House, State Department and Congress.
An Israeli official told the network the trip was timed to coincide with the ICC’s approval of a war crimes probe in Afghanistan.
“The US has a lot of influence over the countries of the world and we want them to also put pressure on our matter when they are putting pressure on their matter and integrate us into their campaign,” the official said.
Last Thursday, ICC prosecutors said they would investigate whether war crimes were committed in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan military and US forces.
The US administration is angry over the decision. Both Washington and Tel Aviv have a common interest in opposing the court.
In December, ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she will launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian Territories, which could include charges against Israelis or Palestinians.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ICC has no jurisdiction to investigate in the Palestinian Territories, calling it "a dark day for truth and justice".
