A Palestinian MP calls for international justice against Israel

Monday May 28, 2007 13:46 by Ameen Abu Wardeh - IMEMC News

The Palestinian government could file a case in the International Court of Justice against Israel for kidnapping at least 35 Palestinian officials last week, said the Hamas-affiliated legislator from Nablus, Mona Mounsour, on Monday.

Mansour appealed to President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and her colleagues at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) to take immediate legal action and abandon any formal or informal discussion with the Israeli leadership, deeming such moves as futile in resolving the crisis.

The PLC member said that a clear unified Palestinian position on the continuous Israeli aggression rather than political split, factional statements will achieve greater results.

She called on Palestinian leaders to inform constituents about the kidnappings of the elected officials through an extensive media campaign.

Mansour demanded solidarity from the Arab and Islamic world, more aid to the Palestinians and increased international pressure on Israel to break the siege imposed on the occupied territories.

Last week, Israeli soldiers invaded several cities and towns in the West Bank, including Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah, kidnapping mayors, legislators and other Hamas officials and supporters, according to reports.

The Palestinian coalition government immediately called on the international community to place sanctions on Israel after the abductions.

Last summer the Israeli military also abducted 42 senior Palestinian officials, including Hamas lawmakers, after the resistance movement captured Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit in the Gaza strip.

Translated by: Ghassan Bannoura – IMEMC News Room

nablus | palestinian politics | news report ghassanb at imemc dot org