ANT KATZ

JTA reports today, however, that The International Criminal Court acknowledged that it received a signed document stating that the Palestinian government accepted jurisdiction of the court on Monday.

The Palestinians also filed an ad hoc declaration for the ICC to investigate Israel for war crimes as of June 13. The date is one day after the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens by Palestinians from Hebron.

The massive operation to find the teens and Israel’s 50-day military operation in Gaza over the summer would be covered under the retroactive date.

The declaration would start proceedings against Israel even as the Palestinians wait for the court to accept their membership.

Congress will be furious

US Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have threatened that there would be repercussions for the Palestinian Authority in the wake of its bid to join the International Criminal Court. 

“Congress must do everything in its power to block funds to the P.A. and to any UN entity that recognises a non-existent State of Palestine to make it clear to Abu Mazen that there will be consequences to his schemes at the United Nations and other international organisations like the International Criminal Court,” Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla), the chairwoman of the US House of Representatives Middle East subcommittee, said last week.

Abu Mazen is the nickname of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who signed the treaty on December 31.

Joining the court is a step toward allowing the investigation of alleged Israeli war crimes. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said the move “deeply frustrated” her.

“This move only sets back the peace process even further,” Gillibrand said. “I will work with my colleagues in Congress to make it clear to the Palestinian Authority that they will be held accountable for these kinds of actions.”

The Obama administration has said it was “deeply troubled” by Abbas’ action, calling it counterproductive.

On January 1, Canada called Abbas’ move “dangerous”.

“Such a provocative decision only furthers the divide between Palestinians and Israelis, and will carry unfortunate consequences,” John Baird, the Canadian foreign affairs minister, said in a statement.

UN reviews PA request to join Rome Statute

The United Nations is reviewing the Palestinians’ request to join the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, as well as nearly 20 other statutes and conventions, according to the court.

In a statement, the court said: “The ICC is an independent, permanent court that tries individuals accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Acceptance of the ICC’s jurisdiction does not automatically trigger an investigation. It is for the ICC Prosecutor to establish whether the Rome Statute criteria for opening an investigation are met and, where required, to request authorization from ICC Judges.