Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda was previously targeted by threats from the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, according to a report by The Guardian. The secret communications took place before she decided to launch an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The investigation reached its peak when Karim Khan, the current prosecutor, announced that he would be requesting arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. This move had been feared by the Israeli military and political establishment for years.
Mossad reportedly authorized high-level activities against Bensouda with the goal of either exposing her to danger or recruiting her to cooperate with Israel. Yossi Cohen, who was described as an “unofficial envoy” to Netanyahu, led Mossad’s participation in a campaign to undermine the International Criminal Court (ICC), using tactics that ranged from charm to threats and manipulation.
The revelations about Mossad’s efforts to influence Bensouda come at a time when current Prosecutor Khan has warned against attempts to obstruct, intimidate, or improperly influence ICC officials. According to the report, Cohen engaged in various tactics to pressure Bensouda, including showing her photos of her husband and suggesting that a decision to proceed with the investigation would harm her career.
Bensouda completed her term at the ICC and handed over the investigation to Khan, who recently requested arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. This marks the first time the court has taken action against leaders of a country close to the US and Europe. Despite threats and attempts to influence ICC officials, Khan remains committed to pursuing justice for victims of crimes in the Palestinian territories.
