The International Criminal Court has opened a prelimary inquiry into possible war crimes committed by Israel in the Occupied Territories. The inquiry comes as Palestine is set to become a member of the ICC on April 1. Emeric Rogier of the ICC prosecutor’s office said the examination would cover possible crimes by both Israelis and Palestinians.

Emeric Rogier: “It’s important to understand that a preliminary examination is not an investigation. It is a process in the course of which the office will gather information on alleged crimes committed in Palestine since June of last year. And then we will asses this information, and at the end of the process we will decide whether to open an investigation or close the matter, or possibly we will need further information.”

The U.S. State Department opposed the ICC inquiry, saying, “It is a tragic irony that Israel, which has withstood thousands of terrorist rockets fired at its civilians and its neighborhoods, is now being scrutinized by the ICC.”