Ex-ICC prosecutor calls on UK to compensate Palestinians for Balfour Declaration

Luis Moreno Ocampo attended a press conference organized by the Palestine Journalists Syndicate in Ramallah on Thursday saying that according to the Oslo Agreement, the responsibility for prosecuting criminals lies with the Palestinian judiciary, which is investigating the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, and if they conclude that the killer is an Israeli they cannot try him, so the ICC can do that.

Ben Emmerson, British barrister specializing in public international law said he is examining the possibility of suing Britain over the Balfour Declaration and holding the successive British governments responsible for the tragedy and human catastrophe of the Palestinian people, who are still living the effects of the UK's decision today.

Emmerson explained that he is focusing on three areas; the Balfour Declaration, which violated the Covenant of the League of Nations, "when the British mandate government made its promise that contributed to a demographic change in Palestine."

He stressed that the matter can be done although it seems very old to many.

Emmerson he is also investigating crimes committed by the British Mandate against a large number of the Palestinian population which will shock the British people and the world.

"We will also examine the Israeli occupation forces' practices, which derive from the emergency law imposed by the British Mandate authorities, which was not repealed after the British exit from Palestine and is used by the Israeli occupation to collectively punish the Palestinians," he added.

According to Emmerson filing the case means that Britain would recognize its debt towards the Palestinian people.