EAST JERUSALEM , West Bank, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the International Criminal Court treaty Wednesday, a step in eventual prosecution of Israel for war crimes. Signing the treaty, known as the Rome Statute, and 22 other international agreements Wednesday, had long been threatened by Palestine. It is the first element in joining the court and another move toward a declaration and acceptance of statehood. It came immediately after a United Nations Security council resolution, calling for the end of Israeli occupation of the West Bank by 2017, was rejected. Joining the court could lead to prosecution of Israel in the global forum for alleged war crimes it committed during the 50-day war in Gaza during the summer.
The defeat in the United Nations, and a prior collapse of U.S.-led peace talks, prompted Abbas to action, he said.