Israel Withdraws VIP Card from Palestinian Foreign Minister Maliki

Ramallah, MINA – The Israeli occupation authorities withdrew the VIP card from Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki upon his arrival in the West Bank after a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said today, WAFA reported.

The Israeli authorities also canceled the VIP cards for two other foreign ministry officials who were traveling with Maliki upon their arrival at the border crossing with Jordan on their way to the West Bank.

“The occupation authorities canceled the minister’s border pass coordination and withdrew his VIP card after he went to the ICC,” head of the foreign minister’s office, Ahmad al-Deek, told WAFA.

He said the ministry will initiate contacts with the international community about the Israeli measures against Maliki and his team.

“This proves once again that Israel is a rogue state, which cannot solve cases by law, but rather resorts to intimidation, sanctions and threats,” said al-Deek.

On Thursday, Maliki held a meeting with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, during which they discussed work and cooperation with the court and the public prosecutor after opening a criminal investigation into the situation in Palestine.

The meeting stressed the importance of accelerating investigations into crimes committed in the lands of the State of Palestine, in a way that guarantees justice for the victims and their families.(T/R3/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)