The Palestinian Authority has submitted an official request to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to set a date for filing lawsuits against Israel, PA Foreign Minister Riad Malki said on Monday.
Malki, who is currently visiting Italy, told the Voice of Palestine radio station that he submitted the request to the ICC two days ago.
“I have submitted a request to the court to set a date for us to present the files of settlements and Israeli war crimes,” Malki said. “We’re now awaiting the court’s response. This could take place in mid-June.”
Malki said that once the ICC sets a date, he would head to The Hague to follow up on the case. He said that a special Palestinian committee has been entrusted with preparing the files that would be brought before the ICC.
“The procedures have begun and we will work seriously and professionally in accordance with a timeline,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudaineh, spokesman for the PA president’s office, said that he expected a “major political confrontation” with Israel. The PA plans to resort to all international forums to put an end to and isolate Israel’s “destructive policy,” he added.
Referring to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s statement on Jerusalem Day that the city would remain the eternal and undivided capital of Israel, Abu Rudaineh said that such remarks contradicted UN and Arab summit resolutions, as well as international conventions.
“There will be no peace and stability in the Middle East without east Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state,” Abu Rudaineh said.
By Khaled Abu Toameh
