The Heat discusses Palestine joining the ICC

The Heat

Palestinian membership of the International Criminal Court came into force at the beginning of this month. The controversial move by the Palestinians could open Israeli military and political leaders to charges they committed war crimes in the occupied territories. What does it mean for the stalled peace process?

At a ceremony at The Hague, Palestinian Foreign Minister said Palestinians sought “justice not vengeance,” but Israel has called the move highly political. By joining the ICC, the Palestinian group, Hamas, also risks facing charges for indiscriminately targeting Israeli civilians.

CCTV’s correspondent Stephanie Freid reported from Tel Aviv.

Follow Stephanie Freid on Twitter @stefanella

The Heat discussed the Palestinian perspective with Dr Hanan Ashwari, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and the first woman elected to the Palestinian National Council.

Palestinians formal entry into the international criminal court has ruffled feathers in Israel. Israel has called the move “political, cynical and hypocritical.”

To give the Israeli perspective is Chuck Freilich, a former deputy national security advisor to Israel.