The PJS welcomed the ICC investigation into the situation in Palestine but deplored the scant resources and staff for this investigation as compared to others, a factor that has contributed to the slow progress of its investigation of Palestinian complaints.
Abu Baker pressed the prosecutor on behalf of the global community of journalists to bring to justice the perpetrators of these crimes, underscoring that in the absence of accountability the Israeli army will continue its attacks against journalists.
Khan met Mahmood Abbas and other officials of the Palestinian Authority. PJS president was invited to the meeting by minister Ahmad Assaf, General Supervisor of the Official Media and chair of the Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation (PBC).
Abu Baker said: “The need for the ICC to devote attention to crimes in the West Bank and Gaza could not be more stark. Palestinian journalists, and those who value their work, need a clear signal that international law protects them and will be applied to those who have taken so many of their lives”.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “Karim Khan’s engagement with cases from Palestine is vital. For too long it has appeared that the ICC had time for other conflicts, but not this one. I hope that this meeting will accelerate the process of investigating complaints that predate the current crisis, as well as the terrible events that have taken place in Gaza since 7 October.”