10 jan 2015
Daily life activity in al-Khalil city came to a standstill on Saturday due to the snowstorm and unprecedented weather conditions.
Inhabitants in al-Khalil remained committed to the instructions of the Civil Defense by remaining indoors. They were asked not to leave their houses as the snowfall closed the roads and all commercial activity and public facilities.
The city suffered from the prevailing frosting conditions which lasted until late hours of the morning.
Official institutions including universities and institutes declared Saturday as a holiday due to the extreme cold weather.
Inhabitants in al-Khalil remained committed to the instructions of the Civil Defense by remaining indoors. They were asked not to leave their houses as the snowfall closed the roads and all commercial activity and public facilities.
The city suffered from the prevailing frosting conditions which lasted until late hours of the morning.
Official institutions including universities and institutes declared Saturday as a holiday due to the extreme cold weather.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) called on the consensus government to assume its full responsibility over Gaza Strip and to stop decisions that would only heighten tension.
The PFLP condemned on Saturday the latest bombing of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Gaza city as well as the closure of Erez Crossing and mutual accusations between Hamas and the government.
The Palestinian people are paying the price for such incidents which have been increasing due to the persistence of the internal division, the statement said.
The Popular Front opined that violence and threats are useless. It described them as dangerous to Gazans who are demanding their rights.
It disrupts the efforts made to solve all problems of the Strip including the salaries of civil servants in accordance with the agreements signed by both parties, the PLFP said.
The statement said such attacks multiply the suffering of the Palestinian people which is not confined to power cut off, water and sewage, medical services, etc.
The PFLP urged all parties to stop tampering with the needs of the people and to end all sorts of attacks on institutions and property.
An ATM machine of the Bank of Palestine was blown up Friday night in Central Gaza City by unknown persons.
The PFLP condemned on Saturday the latest bombing of an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Gaza city as well as the closure of Erez Crossing and mutual accusations between Hamas and the government.
The Palestinian people are paying the price for such incidents which have been increasing due to the persistence of the internal division, the statement said.
The Popular Front opined that violence and threats are useless. It described them as dangerous to Gazans who are demanding their rights.
It disrupts the efforts made to solve all problems of the Strip including the salaries of civil servants in accordance with the agreements signed by both parties, the PLFP said.
The statement said such attacks multiply the suffering of the Palestinian people which is not confined to power cut off, water and sewage, medical services, etc.
The PFLP urged all parties to stop tampering with the needs of the people and to end all sorts of attacks on institutions and property.
An ATM machine of the Bank of Palestine was blown up Friday night in Central Gaza City by unknown persons.
The syndicate committee in defense of the rights of civil servants in Gaza announced on Saturday a new series of protest activities.
The committee declared that the activities aim at protesting the unity government’s refusal of employee integration and recognition, threatening to take a judicial action in order to obtain their rights.
It called, in a statement, for a sit-in rally for all Gazan civil servants in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council at 10:00 am local time on Tuesday. The rally aims to protest the government’s statement which denied the rights of those civil servants.
The committee also announced a strike in all facilities of the health ministry and related departments on Tuesday.
It called on the staffers to head to the sit-in while wearing the work uniform. Sections of emergency, incubation, operation, urgent birth giving, dialysis, Intensive Care Unit, and blood bank were exempted from the strike.
The committee announced a total work suspension on Tuesday and Wednesday in the four ministries headed by Gazan ministers. They are the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Women Affairs.
“We warned previously against dragging us to the judicial arena. However, we will go for that to defend our rights”, the committee said.
The committee undertook to continue the activities until obtaining the civil servants’ rights in full.
The committee declared that the activities aim at protesting the unity government’s refusal of employee integration and recognition, threatening to take a judicial action in order to obtain their rights.
It called, in a statement, for a sit-in rally for all Gazan civil servants in front of the Palestinian Legislative Council at 10:00 am local time on Tuesday. The rally aims to protest the government’s statement which denied the rights of those civil servants.
The committee also announced a strike in all facilities of the health ministry and related departments on Tuesday.
It called on the staffers to head to the sit-in while wearing the work uniform. Sections of emergency, incubation, operation, urgent birth giving, dialysis, Intensive Care Unit, and blood bank were exempted from the strike.
The committee announced a total work suspension on Tuesday and Wednesday in the four ministries headed by Gazan ministers. They are the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Women Affairs.
“We warned previously against dragging us to the judicial arena. However, we will go for that to defend our rights”, the committee said.
The committee undertook to continue the activities until obtaining the civil servants’ rights in full.
Deputy speaker of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC) Ahmed Bahar accused the unity government of turning a deaf ear to the suffering of the population in the besieged Gaza Strip, calling on it to step down if it could not fulfill its obligations towards the citizens there.
In his Friday Khutba (sermon), Bahar stated that the unity government confirmed through its recent decisions that it is only responsible for the West Bank, stressing that its decisions have no value on the ground at all.
The lawmaker demanded the government to backtrack on its recent decisions and stop tampering with the feelings of the unpaid civil servants in Gaza.
He emphasized that the unity government was formed by an agreement between Hamas and Fatah and thus there would be no need for it if it failed to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza.
In another context, Bahar called on Egypt to work on alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and open the Rafah border crossing before passengers and goods.
He warned that the situation in Gaza could explode any moment if the blockade continued and its problems were not solved.
In his Friday Khutba (sermon), Bahar stated that the unity government confirmed through its recent decisions that it is only responsible for the West Bank, stressing that its decisions have no value on the ground at all.
The lawmaker demanded the government to backtrack on its recent decisions and stop tampering with the feelings of the unpaid civil servants in Gaza.
He emphasized that the unity government was formed by an agreement between Hamas and Fatah and thus there would be no need for it if it failed to assume its responsibilities towards Gaza.
In another context, Bahar called on Egypt to work on alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza and open the Rafah border crossing before passengers and goods.
He warned that the situation in Gaza could explode any moment if the blockade continued and its problems were not solved.
Nearly 11 citizens suffered breathing problems and frequent fainting in Jenin due to the use of wood-burning stoves in enclosed spaces in light of the very low temperatures and snowstorm.
The local Red Crescent in the city confirmed that three accidents were documented since the early morning hours in Jenin where five family members suffered breathing problems after inhaling carbon monoxide poisoning from combustion of coal.
The family members were taken to a local hospital in a stable condition.
The Red Crescent also said that another five persons of one family suffered the same symptoms to the south of Jenin.
A similar casualty was also reported in Oja town, the sources said, calling on the citizens to use safe heating tools.
The local Red Crescent in the city confirmed that three accidents were documented since the early morning hours in Jenin where five family members suffered breathing problems after inhaling carbon monoxide poisoning from combustion of coal.
The family members were taken to a local hospital in a stable condition.
The Red Crescent also said that another five persons of one family suffered the same symptoms to the south of Jenin.
A similar casualty was also reported in Oja town, the sources said, calling on the citizens to use safe heating tools.
An electricity crisis has been witnessed in several Palestinian towns to the west of Jenin which led to long-term and frequent power outages over the past two days.
An official in the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) operating in the northern West Bank told the PIC reporter that the electricity crisis is due to the Israeli reduction of power supply allocated for the city from 125 amps to 100 amps.
The Israeli decision to reduce power supply to Jenin was meant to meet the electricity demands and soaring consumption within the Green Line in total disregard to the Palestinian people’s needs, the source added.
The source pointed out that frequent outages have been reported in the area due to the bad weather conditions.
An official in the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO) operating in the northern West Bank told the PIC reporter that the electricity crisis is due to the Israeli reduction of power supply allocated for the city from 125 amps to 100 amps.
The Israeli decision to reduce power supply to Jenin was meant to meet the electricity demands and soaring consumption within the Green Line in total disregard to the Palestinian people’s needs, the source added.
The source pointed out that frequent outages have been reported in the area due to the bad weather conditions.
The Hamas Movement condemned the US state department for criticizing Turkey's relations with it as "rude and racist," expressing its belief that Ankara would not be affected by such positions.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Friday that this US position vindicated that the US administration is "the archenemy of the nation's issues."
A spokesperson for the US department of state had said that Washington conveyed to Turkish officials its concerns about the relationship between their country and Hamas.
The spokesperson's remarks came in response to a question during a recent news conference about Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s statement that Khaled Mishaal, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, is "welcome in Turkey."
In late December 2014, Mishaal made a surprise appearance at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s annual congress in the Central Anatolian province of Konya, standing side by side with Turkish premier Ahmet Davutoglu.
Addressing the audience at the congress, Mishaal hailed Turkey's support for the Palestinian cause throughout history and expressed hope that the Palestinian resistance alongside the Turkish people would liberate Palestine and Jerusalem someday from the clutches of the Israeli occupation.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated on Friday that this US position vindicated that the US administration is "the archenemy of the nation's issues."
A spokesperson for the US department of state had said that Washington conveyed to Turkish officials its concerns about the relationship between their country and Hamas.
The spokesperson's remarks came in response to a question during a recent news conference about Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s statement that Khaled Mishaal, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, is "welcome in Turkey."
In late December 2014, Mishaal made a surprise appearance at the ruling Justice and Development Party’s annual congress in the Central Anatolian province of Konya, standing side by side with Turkish premier Ahmet Davutoglu.
Addressing the audience at the congress, Mishaal hailed Turkey's support for the Palestinian cause throughout history and expressed hope that the Palestinian resistance alongside the Turkish people would liberate Palestine and Jerusalem someday from the clutches of the Israeli occupation.
9 jan 2015
The heavy rainfall in Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian suffering of the war-displaced Palestinian families living in prefabricated homes in Khuza'a area, east of Khan Younis.
Head of the municipal council in Khuza'a Shehadeh Abu Rok told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the rains wiped out the makeshift dykes that had been built around the mobile homes and flooded the entire neighborhood.
Abu Rok appealed to the Palestinian government and the UNRWA to open shelters for the families from the flooded neighborhood, affirming that the municipal workers and volunteers are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of the affected citizens.
Head of the municipal council in Khuza'a Shehadeh Abu Rok told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the rains wiped out the makeshift dykes that had been built around the mobile homes and flooded the entire neighborhood.
Abu Rok appealed to the Palestinian government and the UNRWA to open shelters for the families from the flooded neighborhood, affirming that the municipal workers and volunteers are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of the affected citizens.
8 jan 2015
Republican US Sen. Rand Paul introduced a bill on Wednesday that would immediately halt American aid to the Palestinian Authority, US media reported.
The Associated Press reported that the bill would cut aid until the Palestinian Authority withdraws its bid to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.
"We are currently sending roughly $400 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Palestinian Authority," Paul said, according to the AP. "Certainly, groups that threaten Israel cannot be allies of the U.S. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure this president and this Congress stop treating Israel's enemies as American allies."
The Associated Press reported that the bill would cut aid until the Palestinian Authority withdraws its bid to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.
"We are currently sending roughly $400 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Palestinian Authority," Paul said, according to the AP. "Certainly, groups that threaten Israel cannot be allies of the U.S. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure this president and this Congress stop treating Israel's enemies as American allies."
The Arab Center for Communication and Solidarity announced the intention to hold the “International forum for justice in Palestine” in coordination with many Arab and Muslim forums, unions, and organizations on 22-23 February, 2015.
The head of the Beirut-based Center Maen Beshur told Quds Press that the conference’s preparatory committee agreed on three axes to be discussed during the event. They include the Israeli racism, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity, and finally Israeli longstanding assassination crimes, which have been admitted by some Zionist leaders.
The conference will also discuss the methods and procedures to prosecute the Israeli war criminals, Beshur added.
He said that the conference is a continuation to the Center’s activities since its inception in 2007. The activities started with a conference on the Palestinian refugees’ right of return held in coordination with al-Quds International Institution, Beshur said.
The head of the Beirut-based Center Maen Beshur told Quds Press that the conference’s preparatory committee agreed on three axes to be discussed during the event. They include the Israeli racism, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity, and finally Israeli longstanding assassination crimes, which have been admitted by some Zionist leaders.
The conference will also discuss the methods and procedures to prosecute the Israeli war criminals, Beshur added.
He said that the conference is a continuation to the Center’s activities since its inception in 2007. The activities started with a conference on the Palestinian refugees’ right of return held in coordination with al-Quds International Institution, Beshur said.
Deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) said on Thursday that the unity government is “illegal” and its decisions are “invalid” as it is does not enjoy the PLC confidence.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is taking revenge on Gaza to satisfy the Israeli occupation, the deputy speaker, Dr. Ahmed Bahar, further charged.
In a press statement, Dr. Bahar considered the unity government’s decisions as invalid and unconstitutional, confirming that it did not gain the PLC confidence.
For his part, head of the PLC legal committee MP Mohammed al-Ghoul affirmed that the government’s decisions contradict with the Palestinian basic law and the civil service law.
In his turn, the MP Mohammed Shihab pointed to Abbas’s revenge and hatred policy in dealing with Gaza that only aims to satisfy the Israeli occupation leaders.
Early Wednesday, the unity government published a statement in which it said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is taking revenge on Gaza to satisfy the Israeli occupation, the deputy speaker, Dr. Ahmed Bahar, further charged.
In a press statement, Dr. Bahar considered the unity government’s decisions as invalid and unconstitutional, confirming that it did not gain the PLC confidence.
For his part, head of the PLC legal committee MP Mohammed al-Ghoul affirmed that the government’s decisions contradict with the Palestinian basic law and the civil service law.
In his turn, the MP Mohammed Shihab pointed to Abbas’s revenge and hatred policy in dealing with Gaza that only aims to satisfy the Israeli occupation leaders.
Early Wednesday, the unity government published a statement in which it said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
The Hamas Movement accused Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas of being behind the unity government's recent statement on the Gaza Strip, which it called a coup against all reconciliation agreements.
"Abbas is afraid to announce his rejection to achieve the reconciliation for fear that such a position could raise the ire of the Palestinian street against him, so he is hiding behind the unity government to get what he wants and at the same time embarrass it," senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday.
Bardawil added that if premier Rami al-Hamdallah was unable to act freely and get rid of Abbas's pressures, he had to absolve himself of all responsibilities and declare that to the public.
He affirmed that spokesman for the unity government Ihab Bsseiso told member of the Movement's political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk during a recent phone call that the government was not responsible for releasing such statements.
According to Bardawil, Bsseiso added that the secretary-general of the cabinet was to blame alone for that statement and that the government would remain committed to its obligations towards Gaza.
In another press release, Hamas denounced the unity government's recent statement as a reflection of its impotence to fulfill its responsibilities towards Gaza.
"This government acts upon orders and is no longer in control of itself or able to fulfill its responsibilities. Our people need a government having credibility and a strong will," Hamas stated.
Its press release also disclosed the minutes of two recent meetings held in-camera between Hamas officials, including Mousa Abu Marzouk, and a delegation from the government.
"In light of the talk about the execution of the reconciliation agreements and the concomitant denials and lies about these agreements, minister Mamoun Abu Shahla and spokesman for the government Ihab Bsseiso brought on 31/12/2014 a positive talk about the government's readiness to recognize the rights of Gaza and solve its problems," the Movement explained.
"They asked us to keep that meeting away from the media, and out of respect for their request, we asked in return that the premier should release a statement about what they pledged on his behalf, but we have seen nothing of that happen."
"The second meeting was held on Tuesday, 06/01/2015, at their request, during which a delegation of ministers, Mamoun Abu Shahla and Mufid Hasaina, brought a promise from premier Rami al-Hamdallah to solve Gaza problems within four weeks. The meeting involved a phone conversation with Hamdallah who confirmed what they had said."
The Arabic website of the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday published photocopies of the minutes of those meetings as disclosed by the Hamas Movement.
"Abbas is afraid to announce his rejection to achieve the reconciliation for fear that such a position could raise the ire of the Palestinian street against him, so he is hiding behind the unity government to get what he wants and at the same time embarrass it," senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday.
Bardawil added that if premier Rami al-Hamdallah was unable to act freely and get rid of Abbas's pressures, he had to absolve himself of all responsibilities and declare that to the public.
He affirmed that spokesman for the unity government Ihab Bsseiso told member of the Movement's political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk during a recent phone call that the government was not responsible for releasing such statements.
According to Bardawil, Bsseiso added that the secretary-general of the cabinet was to blame alone for that statement and that the government would remain committed to its obligations towards Gaza.
In another press release, Hamas denounced the unity government's recent statement as a reflection of its impotence to fulfill its responsibilities towards Gaza.
"This government acts upon orders and is no longer in control of itself or able to fulfill its responsibilities. Our people need a government having credibility and a strong will," Hamas stated.
Its press release also disclosed the minutes of two recent meetings held in-camera between Hamas officials, including Mousa Abu Marzouk, and a delegation from the government.
"In light of the talk about the execution of the reconciliation agreements and the concomitant denials and lies about these agreements, minister Mamoun Abu Shahla and spokesman for the government Ihab Bsseiso brought on 31/12/2014 a positive talk about the government's readiness to recognize the rights of Gaza and solve its problems," the Movement explained.
"They asked us to keep that meeting away from the media, and out of respect for their request, we asked in return that the premier should release a statement about what they pledged on his behalf, but we have seen nothing of that happen."
"The second meeting was held on Tuesday, 06/01/2015, at their request, during which a delegation of ministers, Mamoun Abu Shahla and Mufid Hasaina, brought a promise from premier Rami al-Hamdallah to solve Gaza problems within four weeks. The meeting involved a phone conversation with Hamdallah who confirmed what they had said."
The Arabic website of the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Wednesday published photocopies of the minutes of those meetings as disclosed by the Hamas Movement.
Office of the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau Ismail Haneyya denied having made statements about new developments concerning the unity government.
In a brief statement issued Wednesday night, Haneyya's office denied the statements attributed to him.
Media statements earlies claimed that Haneyya revealed that in-depth discussions are being conducted within Hamas leadership following the unity government’s last press release which was considered by the Movement “a coup against reconciliation.”
Early Wednesday, the unity government published a statement in which it said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
In response to the government's statement, Hamas said that the press statement, which was issued by the Palestinian unity government, ran contrary to the stipulations of the Palestinian reconciliation.
"We have been so patient with this government”, which cared less about the miseries of the Gazans, it should not “test our patience anymore", the statement said.
In a brief statement issued Wednesday night, Haneyya's office denied the statements attributed to him.
Media statements earlies claimed that Haneyya revealed that in-depth discussions are being conducted within Hamas leadership following the unity government’s last press release which was considered by the Movement “a coup against reconciliation.”
Early Wednesday, the unity government published a statement in which it said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
In response to the government's statement, Hamas said that the press statement, which was issued by the Palestinian unity government, ran contrary to the stipulations of the Palestinian reconciliation.
"We have been so patient with this government”, which cared less about the miseries of the Gazans, it should not “test our patience anymore", the statement said.
More than 60 people were forced to leave their homes of wooden and plastic roofs in the Jordan Valley due to the stormy weather that is currently hitting the region.
The evacuated families were transferred to a local school in coordination with the village council, local sources said.
Massive snow storm and heavy rains hit Palestine, which led to the stop of all ground activities amid a closure of roads and a power outage in several West Bank towns, in addition to the destruction of many greenhouses. Many car accidents were also reported.
The evacuated families were transferred to a local school in coordination with the village council, local sources said.
Massive snow storm and heavy rains hit Palestine, which led to the stop of all ground activities amid a closure of roads and a power outage in several West Bank towns, in addition to the destruction of many greenhouses. Many car accidents were also reported.
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said that the press statement, which was issued by the Palestinian unity government, ran contrary to the stipulations of the Palestinian reconciliation.
The unity government published a statement on Wednesday in which it denied that the crises of the Gaza Strip will be solved within the coming four weeks.
The consensus government also said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called on the Palestinian factions to bear their responsibilities towards that statement which he described as “rude and disappointing”.
"We have been so patient with this government”, which cared less about the miseries of the Gazans, it should not “test our patience anymore", Abu Zuhri said.
The unity government published a statement on Wednesday in which it denied that the crises of the Gaza Strip will be solved within the coming four weeks.
The consensus government also said that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip will not take place unless it takes control over all the crossings with Israel and Egypt in a solo manner and the Gaza employees who were recruited after 2007 are dismissed.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri called on the Palestinian factions to bear their responsibilities towards that statement which he described as “rude and disappointing”.
"We have been so patient with this government”, which cared less about the miseries of the Gazans, it should not “test our patience anymore", Abu Zuhri said.
Millions of Palestinians bunkered down at home, this Wednesday, as they faced down the first day of a huge winter storm which has brought a mixture of rain, hail and snow, accompanied by heavy winds crashing into the region this week.
According to Ma'an News Agency, Palestinian authorities have announced that all official business will be closed Thursday because of the storm, nicknamed "Huda" in Palestine and Jordan and "Zina" in Lebanon. Officials have urged people to take safety measures in the coming days.
The storm is expected to last until Sunday, bringing snow in higher areas around Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron in the occupied West Bank as well as in northern Israel, while flooding is expected along the coastal plain, including in the Gaza Strip.
Temperatures in the West Bank are expected to hover around freezing both day and night, over the next week.
Already in some areas across the region temporary electricity cuts have been reported, but many fear the worst is yet to come.
According to Ma'an News Agency, Palestinian authorities have announced that all official business will be closed Thursday because of the storm, nicknamed "Huda" in Palestine and Jordan and "Zina" in Lebanon. Officials have urged people to take safety measures in the coming days.
The storm is expected to last until Sunday, bringing snow in higher areas around Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron in the occupied West Bank as well as in northern Israel, while flooding is expected along the coastal plain, including in the Gaza Strip.
Temperatures in the West Bank are expected to hover around freezing both day and night, over the next week.
Already in some areas across the region temporary electricity cuts have been reported, but many fear the worst is yet to come.
In a statement posted on the UN's treaty website Tuesday night, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said: "The statute will enter into force for the State of Palestine on April 1, 2015."
On Monday, ICC registrar Herman von Herbel confirmed that the body has received documents by Palestine declaring its acceptance of the body's jurisdiction, the Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports.
This paves the way for the court's investigation of Israeli crimes committed during the recent war on Gaza which killed over 2,000 people, mostly from the civilian population.
When Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute, the Hague-based court would be able to prosecute Israeli officials for crimes they have committed, over the past months, in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ICC started its work in early July of 2002, when the Rome Statute entered into force as the foundational and governing document. Currently, there are 122 states, which are party to the Rome Statute and, thus, members of the ICC.
The United States and Israel, along with Sudan, have said that they no longer intend to become states parties and, therefore, have no legal obligations arising from their former representatives' signature of the Statute.
Israel and the US are extremely angry about Palestine's attempt to join the ICC, with US officials calling the move "counter-productive". Israel has also halted the transfer of more than USD 120 million in taxes belonging to the Palestinians, in retaliation for their application to join the ICC, and have vowed collective punishment, Press TV also reported.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the request to join the ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30.
On Monday, ICC registrar Herman von Herbel confirmed that the body has received documents by Palestine declaring its acceptance of the body's jurisdiction, the Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports.
This paves the way for the court's investigation of Israeli crimes committed during the recent war on Gaza which killed over 2,000 people, mostly from the civilian population.
When Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute, the Hague-based court would be able to prosecute Israeli officials for crimes they have committed, over the past months, in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ICC started its work in early July of 2002, when the Rome Statute entered into force as the foundational and governing document. Currently, there are 122 states, which are party to the Rome Statute and, thus, members of the ICC.
The United States and Israel, along with Sudan, have said that they no longer intend to become states parties and, therefore, have no legal obligations arising from their former representatives' signature of the Statute.
Israel and the US are extremely angry about Palestine's attempt to join the ICC, with US officials calling the move "counter-productive". Israel has also halted the transfer of more than USD 120 million in taxes belonging to the Palestinians, in retaliation for their application to join the ICC, and have vowed collective punishment, Press TV also reported.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the request to join the ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30.
