Abbas seeks broad support for war crimes charges

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By KARIN LAUB and JOHN HEILPRIN

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Nearly a month into Israel's fierce assault on Hamas in Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is facing mounting domestic pressure to seek war crimes charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court.

He has hesitated in the past because such a move would instantly put the Palestinians on a risky collision course with Israel. But with about 1,400 Palestinians killed in Gaza, according to health officials, Abbas has signaled he might move ahead — cautiously.

Palestinian officials said Thursday that Abbas asked all Palestinian political factions, including Hamas and the smaller group Islamic Jihad, to give their written consent to such a move. Different PLO factions signed up in a meeting in the West Bank earlier this week, while Abbas is still waiting for a response from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, they said.

In trying to make a case against Israel, Abbas could also expose Hamas, a bitter rival turned potential political partner, to war crimes prosecution because it has fired thousands of rockets from Gaza at Israeli communities over the years.

FULL story at link.



Smoke rises after an Israeli strike hit Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, July 31, 2014. Israel said Thursday it has called up another 16,000 reservists, allowing it to potentially widen its Gaza operation against the territory's Hamas rulers in a three-week-old war that has killed more than 1,300 Palestinians and more than 50 Israelis. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)



Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140731/israel-palestinians-war_crimes-aad3914ab3.html

[azurnoir]

1. In order to do this Abbas will have to sign the Rome Statutes

and for all the bluster about it opening up the Palestinian to like wise charges especially from Israel- Israel too would have to sign the Rome Statutes something it has stated it's not inclined to do

[COLGATE4]

2. Doesn't stop all the wishful thinking. n\t

[seveneyes]

3. Perhaps he will file charges against Hamas too

[4now]

4. War criminals need to be brought to justice.

[Fozzledick]

5. Maybe he can get Orly Taitz to take the case.

This sounds like the kind of suit she specializes in.