Israel: Former Supreme Court President "Stop Boycotting International Criminal Court"

Speaking at a legal conference in Jerusalem, Israel's Former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak said that Israel should stop boycotting the International Criminal Court. Barak claimed that Israel will benefit from its participation in the court despite the risk that its soldiers, military officers and politicians may be brought to trial: "Israel is part of the international community, and it must conduct itself in accordance with the interpretation that is common in international law."

In 2000, Israel signed the Rome Statute which established the International Criminal Court, but the signature was never ratified by the Knesset.

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Haaretz added to Barak's words:

A country that believes in the morality of its actions and those of its soldiers should not behave like a permanent suspect and boycott institutions of international law. On the contrary: It must fight within those institutions for its positions and justice. Joining the International Criminal Court at The Hague will place Israel on the side of the enlightened nations, and will contribute to restraining forceful and harmful actions. Barak's recommendation deserves to be adopted.