Breaking Headline

Israel's foreign minister threatens war over ICC

Published December 12th, 2012 - 10:27 GMT
Avigdor Lieberman (L) with Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu (R)
Avigdor Lieberman (L) with Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu (R)

Israel’s foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, sent out a clear warning to Palestinians on Tuesday over the possibility of them taking Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying: “If the Palestinians want peace – they'll get peace. If they want war – they'll get war."

Lieberman made the comments at a Hanukkah event in Tel Aviv, held by his right-wing political party, Yisrael Beiteinu.

Earlier on Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas told reporters in Ankara that Palestine could pursue Israel at the ICC if the Jewish State pushes ahead with plans to build 3,000 new settlement homes in the West Bank.

“If Israel continues with this [settlement plan], we will respond using all methods, obviously peaceful, and including the court,” he said. 

Lieberman went on to warn Palestinians that any future rocket fire from Gaza would mandate a full-blown invasion.

The foreign minister also criticised Israel’s own soldiers who fled a stone-throwing mob in the West Bank last week, saying: "Soldiers choose to flee instead of shooting because they fear being investigated by the Military Police."

 

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