Justice Minister Tunç: Unfortunately, a criminal case could not be opened against Israel at the International Criminal Court

The Turkish premiere of the documentary titled "Al-Shifa Hospital: 14 Days of Atrocity," which focuses on the bombing of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza by Israel, was held.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç attended the premiere program held at the Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Speaking at the program, Tunç stated that a criminal case has not been opened against Israel by the International Criminal Court.

"A HUMANITARIAN DRAMA IS UNFOLDING"

Referring to the massacre that has been ongoing in Palestine since October 7, Minister Tunç said, "Unfortunately, a humanitarian drama has been unfolding in Palestine since October 7. A crime against humanity is being committed. A crime of genocide is being committed. In fact, saying 'since October 7' is an understatement. There has been oppression in Palestine for a century.

In this process, the decisions taken by United Nations bodies regarding the preservation of Jerusalem and compliance with international law are clear, but we are dealing with a state that does not comply with even one of these decisions. We are facing an Israel that does not recognize international law and does not comply with the decisions of international organizations. It has been committing genocide since October 7. More than 40 thousand people, Palestinians, have been martyred.

Eighty percent of these are women and children. Women and children are being slaughtered before the eyes of the world. All elements of the United Nations Genocide Convention have been violated, article by article, in every aspect. This massacre continues to be carried out before the eyes of the world.

The conscience of humanity has spilled into the streets. Demonstrations and rallies in support of Palestine are being held on university campuses in Europe and America. We see demonstrations where Israeli aggressors and occupiers are condemned. Unfortunately, we also see with sadness how the organizations representing the international system and international law remain ineffective," he said.

"The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested an arrest warrant, but the court has not yet issued a decision regarding this request"

Stating that the International Criminal Court has not opened a criminal case against Israel, Minister Tunç said, "Unfortunately, a criminal case could not be opened against Israel at the International Criminal Court. The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court requested an arrest warrant, but unfortunately, the relevant chamber of the criminal court has not issued a decision regarding this request.

A suspect for whom the International Criminal Court prosecutor requested an arrest warrant, a perpetrator of genocide, was able to receive a standing ovation in the United States Congress. Those who gave a standing ovation to that perpetrator of genocide, that criminal against humanity, that murderer of women and children, have gone down in history as a black stain. They are clearly declaring that they are accomplices to this crime. We have all seen how the US has supported that massacre of children since October 7 by sending weapons and its ships," he said.