PA threatens to take Israel to ICC over E1 settelment

On Wednesday 23rd January, the Palestinians announced they will have no choice but to complain about Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it proceeds with settlement construction plans on Palestinian-owned lands. Palestinian Foreign Minister, Riyad Malki, said this will largely depend on what the Israelis do with the area known as "E1", which connects the Jerusalem with Ma'ali Adumim settlement. "If Israel would like to go further by implementing the E1 (settlement) plan and the other related plans around Jerusalem then yes, we will be going to the ICC," he said. "We have no other choice. It depends on the Israeli decision." Yediot Aharnot Israeli newspaper revealed that the Palestinians have previously suggested that bringing their various disputes with Israel to the Hague-based court was an option, yet Malki's statements were the most direct threat his government has made against the Jewish state to date. The International Criminal Court prosecutes charges of genocide, war crimes and other major human rights violations. The Palestinians must first apply to join the court, and once a member they could refer Israel for investigation. Following the UN General Assembly upgraded the Palestinians' status in November, a move that was widely seen as a de facto recognition of an independent Palestinian state, Palestinians became eligible to join the ICC. After the November 29 Israel announced it would build 3,000 more settlement units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which are areas the Palestinians want for a future state, along with Gaza. It's worth mentioning that the E1 covers some 12 square km and is considered particularly important because it not only extends into the middle of the West Bank, but also backs onto east Jerusalem, where the Palestinians want to establish their state.