(AP) Josef Federman and Mike Corder - Days after winning upgraded status at the UN, the Palestinians are threatening to join the international war crimes court and pursue charges against the Israelis. But pressing a case may not be so simple and could potentially leave the Palestinians themselves vulnerable to prosecution. For starters, it remains unclear whether the Palestinians qualify for membership in the International Criminal Court because it is open only to states. Goran Sluiter, professor of international law at Amsterdam University, said that with their newfound status, it seems likely the Palestinians could join the ICC. But it is unclear whether the court would agree to investigate their complaints. He said the court would look at key issues, including the gravity of the alleged crimes and whether Israel's own judicial system is capable of judging the case, before deciding whether to prosecute. If they were to launch a probe, prosecutors also would look at alleged crimes by Palestinians. Robbie Sabel, a former legal adviser to the Israeli Foreign Ministry and a law professor at Hebrew University, said Israel could try to hold the PA responsible for rocket attacks out of Gaza aimed at Israeli cities. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said Israel would fight any attempt by the Palestinians to use the ICC as a "politicized instrument" against Israel. "We are not worried about Israel's case because we have a good solid case and we work strictly according to international law."
2012-12-05 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive