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Hanna Isa, the Secretary-General of the Islamic-Christian Council for the Protection of Jerusalem, said in a December 25, 2019 interview on Al-Alam TV (Iran) that the goal of the International Criminal Court proceedings against Israel is to reach an outcome in which the court rules that ordinary Israelis have committed war crimes. Isa said that the proceedings also leave individual Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority exposed to litigation and similar accusations of war crimes. He added that the Palestinian Authority is obligated to extradite any individuals whom the court requests be extradited.
Hanna Isa: The proceedings [of the ICC] take a long time. This does not mean that we did not win. As Palestinians, our basic goal is to reach an outcome in which [the ICC rules that] ordinary people in Israel have committed war crimes. A few things need to be considered here. This means that we, as a state, have responsibilities… We, as Palestinians, may be [sued] by private persons, whether on behalf of Israel as a state or on behalf of organizations or companies…
Interviewer: So we should be ready for their response?
Hanna Isa: Yes, they will be coming after us. They will start [suing]…
Interviewer: Do you think we are ready for such a response?
Hanna Isa: To this point, undoubtedly no. We are talking as if this is only about Israel and as if we will be left alone. This is not the case. We are exposed to this just like the Israelis, because of the attacks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the missiles launched from the Gaza Strip, or attacks that were carried out within Israel's 1948 borders, whether with weapons or shooting… Israel can [sue directly] or through its supporters. We are more exposed to investigation than Israel is, because we are signatories to the agreement. Wherever we go in the region, signatory states might arrest us, and say that we are war criminals who must be extradited to the ICC. Moreover, the Palestinian Authority is obligated to extradite [individuals]. If the court demands the extradition of this or that person… The PA has an obligation to extradite that person. On top of that, from the moment the case beings in court to the moment it ends, you are required to pay the cost.
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