China Calls for Objectivity in Lawsuits Against Israeli, Hamas Leaders
China on Wednesday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to remain objective after a prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Islamist Hamas movement.
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Mundo Wang Wenbin
"We hope the ICC will uphold its objective and impartial position and exercise its power in accordance with the law," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said, calling for an end to the "collective punishment of the Palestinian people".
On Monday, International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister and three Hamas leaders over alleged crimes committed in the Gaza Strip and Israel.
Beijing said there is "an overwhelming consensus within the international community to immediately stop the war in Gaza and end the humanitarian crisis of the Palestinian people".
"China has always stood on the side of justice and international law on the Palestinian issue," Wang said, adding that Beijing supports "efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue".
ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced on Monday that he had asked for arrest warrants to be issued for Netanyahu and his defense minister Yoav Gallant for crimes including the "wilful killing of civilians", "wilful causing of great suffering" and "extermination and/or murder" related to Israel's 2014 Gaza operation.
Karim Khan also requested that arrest warrants be issued for three Hamas leaders -- Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar -- for crimes including "extermination", "rape and other forms of sexual violence" and "hostage-taking as a war crime" related to a July 2014 attack in Israel.
China has long supported the Palestinian cause and a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for an "international peace conference" to end the fighting.
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