Anti-Israel rally in Jordan (archives)
Photo: AP
Jordan postpones ICC lawsuit for 'technical reasons'
London's al-Quds al-Arabi reports Amman decided to delay mission meant to ask International Crimes Court in The Hague to launch probe against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes committed during Gaza offensive
Jordan has decided to postpone its mission to the International Crimes Court (ICC) in The Hague, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi reported Wednesday.
Earlier this week, the chairman of the Jordanian Parliament's Legal Committee, Mubarak Abu Yameen al-Abadi, announced his country would be pursuing legal actions against Israeli officials the likes of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi , for alleged war crimes committed during January's Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip.
Indignation
Internal Security Minister Dichter comments on reports Jordanian Parliament plans to file criminal lawsuit against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in Gaza: 'No greater hypocrisy than when country that murdered 10,000 Palestinians deals with international crimes'
Jordan's supposed intention to demand an international inquiry enraged Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, who was also included in Amman's "suspect" list.
"There is no greater hypocrisy than a country that just 39 years ago, during 1970's Black September, murdered 10,000 of its Palestinian residents – dealing with international crimes today," he told Ynet on Tuesday. "Jordan will not be the one to teach Israel about the ethics of warfare."
The newspaper said Abu Yameen declined comment, adding that it was unclear at this time whether the trip was simply put off or canceled altogether. Nevertheless, commentators believe it was an official decision by Jordan, made to refrain from exacerbating its relations with Israel.
Meanwhile, an official Amman source denied Wednesday that Jordan cautioned Israeli officials against visiting the country.
According to the source, the decision to postpone the mission's trip to The Hague was made as part of "the efforts to contain the crisis with Israel."
