Obama: Palestinian accession to the International Criminal Court is not constructive

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, discussed the Palestinian issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday, January 22. According to the Associated Press, Obama stated that the Palestinian Authority is not yet a country and therefore not eligible to join the court. He also added that the Palestinians' request to join the ICC is 'not a constructive step and undermines trust-building with Israel.' Recently, Palestinians submitted official documents signed by Mahmoud Abbas to the UN representative in the West Bank to join several international treaties. Palestinian officials have stated that once the membership of the Palestinian state in the Hague court is formalized, they will bring Israel to trial for committing 'war crimes,' particularly in connection with the 51-day war last summer in Gaza. In December, Palestine was accepted as an observer member by 122 member countries of the International Criminal Court. The Palestinian request to join the court was also accepted by the UN at the end of December, and 'the State of Palestine' is set to become the 123rd member of the International Criminal Court starting April 1. Israel and the United States have shown significant sensitivity to the Palestinians' request for ICC membership. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, stated on Thursday, January 11, that before Israel is put on trial, it is the Palestinian leaders who should be concerned about being prosecuted in such a court for decades of 'supporting terrorism.' Meanwhile, prominent members of the U.S. Congress and the Washington government have threatened the Palestinians that they may face 'punishment' for their request to join the ICC. According to the Associated Press, Barack Obama reiterated in his conversation with Netanyahu that the United States is working towards a nuclear agreement with Iran that prevents the development of nuclear weapons in Iran.