UN Accepts Palestinian ICC Membership Application

Lesson Brief BBC Arabic
On January 7, BBC Arabic reported that the UN is accepting the Palestinian Authority's bid for membership with the International Criminal Court. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said that the UN had received the necessary documentation from President Mahmoud Abbas, and that after some procedural matters the membership would become official at the beginning of April. Israel has strongly condemned the move, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared he would not let Israeli soldiers be brought in front of the court. The U.S., which vetoed the PA's proposal to set a timetable for Israel's withdrawal from the West Bank, has also criticized the move, saying it would hinder bilateral peace negotiations.
LuaLua Bahrain

icon FlashCards