Palestine appeals to ICC for legal action against US

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki on Wednesday submitted a request to The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) for legal action against the U.S.

Ramallah accuses the U.S. of moving its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem “in clear violation of international law”, Palestine’s WAFA news agency reported.

“One year after the Trump administration carried out its provocative and illegal action, the State of Palestine continues to seek justice and accountability through the tools and mechanisms available to law-abiding and respecting states within the international system,” al-Malki said in a statement carried by the news agency.

He added: “The submission of this indictment list to the ICC Prosecutor comes as a continuation of the proceedings initiated by the State of Palestine since Sept. 29, 2018, when it filed an application to initiate action against the U.S.”

The move, al-Malki continued, is aimed at “defending [Palestine’s] rights and interests against illegal actions by the U.S.; to protect the city of Jerusalem; and to reject all illegal and unilateral measures practiced by the current U.S. administration”.

In late 2017, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, prompting a global outcry.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.