AP, United Nations :
The Palestinians on Monday officially became observers at the summit meeting of the 122 countries that are members of the International Criminal Court, a move they say is a step toward joining the world’s permanent war crimes tribunal.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to seek membership in the ICC in order to press charges against Israel for alleged war crimes.
The Palestinian United Nations ambassador, Riyad Mansour, said his government is moving in that direction “but that’s another step in that process,” and the timing will be decided by Abbas.
“The Palestinians have been promising to join the court but have repeatedly delayed action,” Balkees Jarrah, international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch, told AP. “We’ve been calling on them to join the court which could open up the prospect of justice for serious crimes by all sides.”
The Palestinians on Monday officially became observers at the summit meeting of the 122 countries that are members of the International Criminal Court, a move they say is a step toward joining the world’s permanent war crimes tribunal.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened to seek membership in the ICC in order to press charges against Israel for alleged war crimes.
The Palestinian United Nations ambassador, Riyad Mansour, said his government is moving in that direction “but that’s another step in that process,” and the timing will be decided by Abbas.
“The Palestinians have been promising to join the court but have repeatedly delayed action,” Balkees Jarrah, international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch, told AP. “We’ve been calling on them to join the court which could open up the prospect of justice for serious crimes by all sides.”
