National Security Advisor, John Bolton, in his first major public address to the Federalist society, warned tough action on the International Criminal Court if its citizens were prosecuted on alleged Afghanistan war crimes, Reuters reported.
“The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court,” Bolton said on Monday.
Following the prosecutions, sanctions could be placed on the ICC judges, he said and added that the Palestine Liberation Organization’s office in Washington was to be closed after attempts by Palestinians were made to kickstart ICC investigations.
In response, Palestinians said they would continue going to the World Court and called the PLO closure as a novel pressure tactic.
“We reiterate that the rights of the Palestinian people are not for sale, that we will not succumb to U.S. threats and bullying,” Palestinian official Saeb Erekat said in a statement. “Accordingly, we continue to call upon the International Criminal Court to open its immediate investigation into Israeli crimes.”
Israel commended the closure move and had accused Palestinians of avoiding the sponsored bilateral talks by going to court.
“The Palestinians’ resort to the ICC and refusal to negotiate with Israel and the United States is not the way to advance peace, and it is good that the United States is taking a clear stand on this matter,” said an Israeli official on condition of anonymity.
