Netanyahu calls on ICC to reject Palestinian bid

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to reject the Palestinian Authority’s request to join the Rome Statute, saying it is not a state.

“We expect the ICC to reject the hypocritical request by the Palestinian Authority, which is not a state but an entity linked to a terrorist organisation,” he said in a statement.

“The state of Israel is a lawful country with a moral army that enforces all international laws. We will protect IDF soldiers as they protect us,” he continued.

Netanyahu’s remarks came during a meeting in the Defence Ministry’s headquarters in Tel Aviv to discuss the Israeli response to the Palestinian request to join the ICC.

On Wednesday evening, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed a request to join the court, which will allow the Palestinians to prosecute Israeli officials, in addition to another 19 applications to join international institutions and treaties.

In November 2012, Palestine became a non-member state at the United Nations which gives it the right to join a series of international treaties and conventions, including the Rome Statute.