PALESTINE was formally welcomed as the latest member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) yesterday.

The country said it wanted “justice not vengeance” for Israeli war crimes.

Joining the court is part of a broader Palestinian effort to put international pressure on Israel.

But it comes at a time when resumed negotiations with Israel are seen as unlikely following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent election victory on the back of a bigoted campaign.

“In the face of the great injustice our people are enduring and the repeated crimes committed against it, Palestine has decided to seek justice, not vengeance,” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said after a brief welcome ceremony.

Palestine signed the court’s founding treaty in January and its membership came into force yesterday.

International jurists hailed the occasion as an opportunity to bring accountability to years of conflict between Palestinians and Israel.

Israel is not a member of the ICC, but the country’s military and civilian leaders could now face charges if they are believed to have committed crimes on Palestinian territory.

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda opened a preliminary investigation in mid-January after the Palestinians formally accepted the court’s jurisdiction.

Mr Malki said the Palestinian Authority was waiting to see the result of the preliminary probe.

However, he stressed that the Palestinians were ready to call for a formal investigation if the initial examination of evidence took too long.
Some preliminary examinations have taken months, others are continuing after years.

Human Rights Watch welcomed the Palestinian Authority as the court’s 123rd member and stressed it is now up to Ms Bensouda to weigh whether there is strong enough evidence to merit a full-scale investigation.

“Any decision whether to pursue an investigation and against whom is not in the hands of Palestinians or Israelis,” said HRW international justice counsel Balkees Jarrah.

ICC coalition convenor William Pace said Palestinian membership gave “hope to victims in both Palestine and Israel that they might see justice done and the conflict brought to a peaceful end.”