BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The Palestinians had earlier announced that they were applying for membership at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to pursue war-crime charges against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying the Palestinian Authority has chosen confrontation with Israelis.
It was the first meeting for the Israeli cabinet, since Palestinians took steps last Friday to join the International Court.
Israel had warned it would consider the act a 'nuclear option,' and on Sunday, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised: Israeli soldiers would not face trial at The Hague.
The ICC was set up nearly twenty years to try anyone for alleged war crimes. More than 120 countries have signed on. But Israel and its biggest backer the US are not signatories, and reject the court's jurisdiction.
It's unlikely Israel would ever send its nationals to face ICC judges for their actions, for example, in Gaza -- as Palestinians are hoping -- but it could expose Israelis traveling in ICC members countries to possible arrest. Activist Uri Zaki, from the left-leaning opposition Meretz party, blames Netanyahu exposing Israelis to such vulnerability.
Israel also confirmed on Sunday that it would halt the transfer of more than $100 million dollars in tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority, again, in response Palestinian steps towards the ICC. But Palestinian officials say they will not back down.
Israel says the only way to achieve a Palestinian state is through negotiations between both side. Palestinians say negotiations have let them nowhere, Both signs are now kicking in their heels for a diplomatic tit-for-tat that will likely get worse before it gets better.
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