Palestinians tell ICC they want to join the court
UNITED NATIONS - The Palestinians are telling members of the International Criminal Court that they want to join the tribunal to seek justice for Israel's alleged crimes.
Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour spoke Monday for the first time to the assembly of 122 countries that are party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC. He said there is consensus among Palestinians to join the court. He said Palestine "may very well be the 123rd state party," but the timing is up to its leaders.
Mansour said the Palestinians are "profoundly grateful" for the invitation to participate in the assembly's meeting as an observer.
There were some behind-the-scenes objections last week from several European countries to allowing Mansour to address the assembly, but they were smoothed out.
