ICC chief prosecutor to visit Israel and occupied Palestine

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced that its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, will visit Israel and occupied Palestine.

The visit to Israel was at the request of survivors and families of victims of Hamas's attack on Israeli communities on 7 October.

Khan will also meet Palestinian officials in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

#ICC Chief Prosecutor @KarimKhanQC is visiting #Israel at the request and invitation of survivors & the families of victims of the 7 October attacks.

The Prosecutor will also visit #Ramallah, State of #Palestine, meeting w/ senior Palestinian officials. pic.twitter.com/AK81hKd3f7
— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) November 30, 2023

"The visit, while not investigative in nature, represents an important opportunity to express sympathy for all victims and engage in dialogue," the ICC said on X.

Earlier this month, three Palestinian rights groups asked the ICC to investigate Israel for war crimes, including genocide. The ICC said it had received communication from the groups and would assess the information.

Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, which established the ICC, and is not a member of the Hague-based court.

However, the ICC can investigate nationals of non-member states in some circumstances, including when alleged crimes are committed in the territories of member states. Occupied Palestine is a member of the ICC.