BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke yesterday by phone with US President Barack Obama, who underlined his opposition to the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) application to join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On 31 December, PA President Mahmoud Abbas signed the Rome Statute, paving the way for the Palestinians to join the ICC and for potential legal action to be brought against Israeli leaders and officials. The unilateral move was condemned by both Israel and the United States, as it is likely to create barriers to a future negotiated agreement. Nonetheless, United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon confirmed last week that the Palestinian application to the ICC would be accepted, coming into effect in April.

A White House statement said that President Obama spoke to Netanyahu yesterday and “reiterated the United States’ position that the Palestinian Authority does not yet constitute a state and is therefore not eligible to accede to the Rome Statute.” Obama added that he does not believe “Palestinian accession to the ICC is a constructive way forward” and that he “encourages both sides to seek ways to deescalate tensions.” The United States Congress is expected to consider whether to freeze aid to the PA in response to the ICC application. Israel already froze around £83 million in Palestinian tax revenues which it collects on behalf of the PA leadership.

During their conversation, Obama and Netanyahu also discussed the ongoing talks between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme. With negotiations on a permanent accord set to resume next week, Obama reiterated that, “The United States is focused on reaching a comprehensive deal with Iran that prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” and “verifiably assures the international community of the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear program.”

The White House statement added, “The president underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to the security of Israel and the importance of continuing close cooperation with Israel on this issue.”