To: President Donald Trump, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Don’t Punish Palestinians for Joining the ICC
Just Foreign Policy
We urge you to speak up: Palestinians shouldn't be punished for joining the International Criminal Court.
Why is this important?
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has applied for the state of Palestine to join the International Criminal Court. The application is expected to be approved. If Palestine is admitted to the ICC, it would mean that Palestinians could bring cases to the ICC—specifically, against the Israeli government for their confiscation of Palestinian land in the West Bank, which has been used to expand Israeli settlements. It would also mean that Palestinian violations of international law, such as Hamas firing rockets into civilian areas in Israel, would potentially be subject to ICC jurisdiction.
Some in Congress are sure to demand that U.S. sanctions be imposed on the Palestinians for applying to join the ICC. Regardless of whether one supports the Palestinians’ decision or disagrees with it, Palestinians should not be punished when their leaders use diplomacy and appeal to the rule of law to try to secure basic human rights for their people.
Urge President Obama and your representatives in Congress to defend the right of Palestinians to join the International Criminal Court by signing our petition.
Some in Congress are sure to demand that U.S. sanctions be imposed on the Palestinians for applying to join the ICC. Regardless of whether one supports the Palestinians’ decision or disagrees with it, Palestinians should not be punished when their leaders use diplomacy and appeal to the rule of law to try to secure basic human rights for their people.
Urge President Obama and your representatives in Congress to defend the right of Palestinians to join the International Criminal Court by signing our petition.