State Dept. not looking to sanction Palestinians for trying to join Int'l Criminal Court

The State Department indicated on Monday that it is not looking to impose new sanctions against the Palestinian Authority for its decision to try to join the International Criminal Court.

The Palestinians last week moved to join the body, in an apparent attempt to bring war crimes cases against Israelis. The move was immediately criticized by the State Department as one that would create another obstacle to whatever is left of the peace process in the Middle East.

The State Dept. says it's not looking to sanction the Palestinian Authority for trying to join the International Criminal Court, and is instead engaging with Palestinians in an effort to get them to reconsider.
Image: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

But on Monday, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki indicated that while State could try to impose sanctions against the Palestinian Authority for trying to join the ICC, it would not. She said that for now, State was trying to engage the Palestinians in an effort to convince them to abandon their ICC bid.

"The next step would be Congress deciding what step or action they may take as it relates to assistance," she told reporters. "Right now our focus and the secretary's focus is on engaging with both parties."

Psaki also said she believes members of Congress are watching the Palestinians' actions, and could respond in some way once the 114th Congress convenes.

"Congress has a great deal of power in that regard, and that has been historically true," she said. "They're obviously watching closely what happens."

Under current law, sanctions are required if the Palestinian Authority manages to bring cases against Israel at the ICC. But the law says nothing about the effort to join the ICC, and Psaki indicated Congress would have to write a new law to impose sanctions for that reason.

The ICC bid prompted Israel to withhold the transfer of $128 million in tax revenue that it collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The State Department said last week that it also opposes that decision as another escalation in tensions.