Senior Fatah official Hatem Abdul-Qader who holds the Jerusalem portfolio has called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to go to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in view of Israel’s passing of legislation at the Knesset legalizing its settlement expansion.
“The time for condemnation and rejection of Israel’s decisions and demanding the international community to assume its responsibilities is gone; there must be concrete steps right now for the prosecution of Israel over its crimes against the Palestinian people” Abdul-Qader stated in a press release on Tuesday.
The Fatah official described the pro-settlement legislation as “a trap Israel set for itself” calling for investing this development practically through filing a lawsuit against it with the ICC regardless of the political and economic ramifications of the step.
He warned that taking passive positions towards the Knesset step would close the door completely on the two-state solution and enable Israel to impose more faits accomplis on the ground.
He voiced fears that this Israeli step would be a prelude to other more serious decisions to be taken by the Israeli right-wing regime which calls for annexing the West Bank to Israel.
