Palestine may use ICC against Israel – report

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Palestinian Authority indicated that it would use not hesitate to use UN bodies like the ICC against Israel if its statehood bid for non-member status at the General Assembly is successful, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Ramallah, the PA official Tawfiq Tirawi said the organization was gathering evidence into the death of former PLO chairman Yasser Arafat in order "to submit (it) to the International Criminal Court," Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.

The remarks enforce a similar statement made by Palestinian UN observer, Riyad Mansour, who also stated that "we are not fools nor dummies. If they don't move in that direction ... then all of us should be considering all other possible options in order to bring them into compliance." He added recourse to the ICC would be considered a last resort. "I don't believe that we are going to be rushing the second day to join everything related to the United Nations, including the ICC."

The Palestinians appear certain to earn approval in the 193-member UN General Assembly for a status upgrade to "observer state" - similar to the Vatican's rank - from observer "entity." The move would implicitly recognize Palestinian statehood.

The change would allow the Palestinian territories to access bodies like the International Criminal Court in The Hague, which prosecutes people for genocide, war crimes and other major human rights violations, where it could complain about Israel.