Palestinian Authority Gains Observer Status At The International Criminal Court

Source: Telegraph UK

Israel has been angered by the Palestinian Authority's acceptance as observers at the ICC in The Hague

By Robert Tait, Jerusalem
4:39PM GMT 09 Dec 2014

The Palestinian Authority has edged closer to pressing war crimes charges against Israel after gaining observer status at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The move – agreed on a procedural vote by the court's 122 members at a gathering in The Hague – follows intensifying threats from the Palestinian leadership to seek full membership of the court, a development that would represent a dramatic stepping up of its diplomatic confrontation with the Israelis.

It follows votes by parliaments in several European Union countries – including Britain and France – in favour of recognising Palestinian statehood in symbolic and non-binding motions that have nevertheless been opposed by Israel, which says they will prejudice future peace talks.

Israel, backed by the United States, has repeatedly warned Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority (PA) president, against applying for ICC membership, which Israeli leaders say could be used to blackmail them into concessions at the negotiating table by threatening to press war crime accusations.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/11282982/Palestinian-Authority-gains-observer-status-at-the-International-Criminal-Court.html