Israel’s friends in the U.S. move forward with plans to thwart the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic war against the Jewish State.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) is not an official state and therefore does not meet the qualifications to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), the U.S. Department of State declared on Wednesday.
Asked about UN General Secretary Ban’s announcement that the PA will be admitted to the ICC in April, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki replied: “The United States does not believe that the state of Palestine qualifies as a sovereign state and does not recognize it as such and does not believe that it is eligible to accede to the Rome Statute.”
The U.S. has previously expressed vigorous opposition to the PA joining the ICC, stating that the PA’s actions were counter-productive to any peace process.
The PA, on its part, wishes to join the ICC, from which it intends to continue its diplomatic war against the Jewish state by prosecuting Israel for alleged war crimes.
Defend Israel by Defunding the PA
The U.S. Congress is reviewing the option of defunding the PA if it manages to join the ICC.
Senator Rand Paul introduced on Wednesday the “Defend Israel by Defunding Palestinian Foreign Aid” Act of 2015.
The legislation calls for the immediate halt of U.S. aid to the PA until it withdraws its request to join the ICC. Under current U.S. law, America is prohibited from assisting the PA if it seeks ICC claims against Israel.
“Thus far, the Obama administration has not committed to taking any actions and appears disinclined to cut off aid,” a statement by Rand’s office explained. “It is up to the new Republican-led Congress to move on its own so that the President does not once again circumvent clear funding restrictions. We are currently sending roughly $400 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars to the Palestinian Authority.”
“Certainly groups that threaten Israel cannot be allies of the U.S. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure this President and this Congress stop treating Israel’s enemies as American allies,” Rand stated.
By: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel
Sign the Petition to Stop Funding the Palestinian Authority
PA head Abbas and Hamas leader Haniyeh together.
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