Malicious Intent: Palestinians to join International Criminal Court

1/1/2015

By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH

(AP) Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks to Russian Foreign... Full Image

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the Palestinians will join the International Criminal Court — a move that sets the stage for filing a war crimes case against Israel.

Abbas made the announcement in the West Bank on Wednesday, a day after the U.N. Security Council failed to pass a resolution that had aimed to set a deadline for Israel to end its occupation of territories sought by the Palestinians.

Abbas had warned that if the resolution failed, he would resume a Palestinian campaign to join international organizations to put pressure on Israel.

Abbas' decision is expected to trigger a harsh response from Israel.

Israel says all disputes should be resolved through peace talks, and such actions are aimed at bypassing negotiations.

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