Palestinians decide to join ICC

President Abbas signs documents to join ICC a day after resolution to end Israel's occupation was defeated at the UN.

Abbas also signed a raft of 20 other treaties, aligning Palestine with various international organisations [AFP]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed documents necessary for joining international organisations including the International Criminal Court (ICC) at a meeting in Ramallah.
President Abbas signed the documents on Wednesday, a day after a UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution that had aimed to set a deadline for Israel to end its occupation of territories sought by the Palestinians.

The decision sets the stage for filing a war crimes case against Israel for its actions in Gaza.
Al Jazeera's diplomatic editor James Bays said the Palestinians had been threatening to sign the Rome Statute for a long time, but had been afraid of the negative response from the United States.
"This could pave the way for things that have happened in Palestinian territory and Israeli being taken to the ICC," he said.
"Potentially Israeli leaders and Palestinian leaders could find themselves in court.

"They can ask for [ICC] investigations, not just from day they signed the statute, but a retroactive investigation into past events.
"There are some legal doubts as to what will be covered, but most legal experts believe fighting in Gaza this summer could be included."
Abbas had warned that if the UN resolution failed, he would resume a Palestinian campaign to join international organisations to put pressure on Israel.
The signed statute will now be passed to the UN's secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, who will consider the application to join the ICC.
Abbas' decision is expected to trigger a harsh response from Israel.
Israel says all disputes should be resolved through peace talks, and such actions are aimed at bypassing negotiations.
Abbas also signed a raft of about 20 other treaties, aligning Palestine with various international organisations.
Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab, reporting from Ramallah, said that people were expecting President Abbas to standby his pledges.
"People here wanted a muscular response from the president, and he has made good on his promises as to what would happen if the resolution failed."