Israel sent a letter April 9 to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, saying the court has no jurisdiction to open a probe against it. The letter said the court is "acting without authority" in carrying out the probe. A statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Israel absolutely rejects the claim that it has carried out war crimes. Israel reiterates its unequivocal position according to which the court in The Hague lacks the authority to open an investigation against it. The unacceptable interference of the court lacks any legal basis and contravenes the goals for which it was established."
The Israeli decision was taken April 8 after several rounds of consultations on different levels and just one day before the deadline set by the court. Reportedly, the final Israeli decision was made following a discussion by Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Education Minister Yoav Gallant, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and other senior officials.
