US weighs cutting aid to Palestinians over court move

[webfact]

US weighs cutting aid to Palestinians over court move
BRADLEY KLAPPER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration said Monday it was reviewing its annual $440 million aid package to the Palestinians because of their effort to join the International Criminal Court to pursue war-crimes charges against Israel.

At the same time, however, the U.S. criticized Israel for withholding tens of millions in tax revenues to the Palestinians, saying such a step "raises tensions." Taken together, the statements reflected Washington trying to come to grips with a Palestinian move it has spent years trying to avert and a peace process that offers no hope for an immediate breakthrough.

The Palestinian decision to join The Hague court came after the U.N. Security Council last month rejected setting a three-year deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian-claimed lands. Israel fears Palestinian membership there could lead to a rash of politically motivated prosecutions that further isolates the Jewish state and makes it hard for Israeli officials to travel abroad.

"We're deeply troubled by the Palestinian action," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters. She said joining the court "is entirely counterproductive and does nothing to further the aspirations of the Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state. It badly damages the atmosphere with the very people with whom they ultimately need to make peace."

Under American law, any Palestinian case against Israel at the court would trigger an immediate cutoff of U.S. financial support. Membership itself doesn't automatically incur U.S. punishment.

Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the matter by telephone over the weekend with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Other U.S. officials spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, hoping to dissuade him from his course.

Abbas has been under heavy pressure to take stronger action against Israel amid months of rising tensions. U.S.-brokered peace talks collapsed last spring and a 50-day war followed between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza over the summer.

The administration is reviewing its assistance to the Palestinians to ensure it complies with U.S. law, Psaki said. She said there is a range of ways for the U.S. to respond, but suggested none would happen immediately.

"The focus right now is to continue to encourage both sides," Psaki said. She cited Israel, too, for escalating tensions by freezing the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinians.

"What we're trying to avoid here is a back-and-forth tit-for-tat," Psaki said.

Israel, like the U.S., is not a member of the international court and doesn't recognize its jurisdiction. The court has no police force and no authority to go into Israel and arrest suspects. But it could issue arrest warrants that European and other countries would be willing to enforce. The U.S. accepts Israel's position that Palestinian membership in the court is an impediment to peace.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-06

[Somtamnication]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

[siampolee]

Well we can see yet again that in truth America is the 1st lone star bully boy of the state of the Israeli Zionists nothing more nothing less.

Edited January 6, 2015 by siampolee

[manarak]

why don't they just explain the court can be a tool in asymetric warfare - while israeli forces can easily be identified or hold responsible, the court is unlikely to punish Palestina for acts committed by so-called "terrorists" while most of palestinians are accomplices by doing nothing to stop the criminals.

[Seastallion]

" Under American law, any Palestinian case against Israel at the court would trigger an immediate cutoff of U.S. financial support. Membership itself doesn't automatically incur U.S. punishment. "

Enshrined in law??? I'm flabbergasted that a country that boasts that it is the land of the free and home of the brave, the world's great democracy, the global policeman, can put into law that should another state seek to prosecute criminal activities, that the plaintiff be punished!

It essentially sends the message that the US condones Israeli crimes.

Where else in the world is a plaintiff persecuted for seeking redress for a crime? I can think of only the world's most corrupt places.

What was the rationale behind legislating that piece of law? What was the national interest that forces the US to support crimes in Israel? And we're not talking about petty crimes, either.

And it seems this persecution is because some Israeli criminals may not be able to have a holiday in Europe.

Israel; "Lets steal their drinking water so we can fill the swimming pool and water the lawn, and lets get the US to cut off direly needed aid, so we can go skiing in Switzerland (and escape punishment for heinous crimes)."

Disgusting and highly immoral.

Shame, shame shame on you United States of America.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Seastallion

[ABCer]

Well, well, well.

The Arab Brigade is out in force, ranks joined and no opposition.

Permit me a dissonance note. To quote our glorious Seastallion - "Shame, shame, shame on you, US"

for paying these Terrorists billions each year making their leaders rich on blood, buying rockets, digging tunnels and

sending their emissaries around the World to present their 'just cause'! Shame indeed!

On the other hand it is extremely difficult for US to sit with one obum on two chairs. Can't decide on whose side they are on.

Edited January 6, 2015 by ABCer

[petercool]

A flame post removed

[kamahele]

I will have to disagree with my country's leadership over this one. The Israeli government continues to push the Palestinians into a corner and they are looking for a way out. The Israeli government should have their funding revoked instead.

Edited January 6, 2015 by kamahele

[Ulysses G.]

Under American law, any Palestinian case against Israel at the court would trigger an immediate cutoff of U.S. financial support.

Very good news. They are our enemies. Why have we been giving them money in the first place?

[ezzra]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

[SOTIRIOS]

...how humanitarian can you get.....

...what...you want war crimes against your decimated country to stop.....???

...well we better cut essential aid to you.....

[JoePai]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from, after all, Israel has only been a blot on the landscape for the past 60 or so years...

[mgjackson69]

Aid for Palestine *and* aid for Israel...

Sort of like subsidizing tobacco farmers while spending money on "Stop Smoking" programs.

This is one aspect of my government that I do not care for.

[NeverSure]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from, after all, Israel has only been a blot on the landscape for the past 60 or so years...

Israel was in that land and in the historical record at least 3,000 years ago.

The term "Palestinian" has existed only since the 1980's

What are you smoking?

[NeverSure]

...how humanitarian can you get.....

...what...you want war crimes against your decimated country to stop.....???

...well we better cut essential aid to you.....

Is it some debt the US owes them? Why would the US be giving money to terrorists in the first place?

Why wouldn't the US have every right to cut off aid it was never obligated to give in the first place? For any reason it chose whatsoever?

I hope the US never gives them another dollar. The money belongs to US taxpayers, not to Islamic terrorists.

[ezzra]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from, after all, Israel has only been a blot on the landscape for the past 60 or so years...

Reading a bible, any bible will attest to the Jews right to the holy, promised land, and in that bible,

if you found any mention of Palestinians, I will never post another post in this forum again...

the fact that they been exiled time an time again from their land by mix of nations and armies

over the centuries, don't mean that any one can come in and declare this land to be theirs....

[Ulysses G.]

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from

Jews have been living there continuously for 3,000 years. They have their own country, one of the best armies in the world and a thriving economy. They are not going anywhere.

[Jingthing]

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from

Jews have been living there continuously for 3,000 years. They have their own country, one of the best armies in the world and a thriving economy. They are not going anywhere.

That's kind of the point of Israel. Jews going home to where they came from.

ISRAEL.

Of course happily it's not required.

[ABCer]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Don't you be silly, ezzra.

They WANT it! They want it so badly that any pretext is good!

They want this once empty, arid, infertile land even more now, that those bloody Jews have developed it for them!

And you are trying to give reasons against wanting! Don't be silly...

[mania]

Israel fears Palestinian membership there could lead to a rash of politically motivated prosecutions that further isolates the Jewish state and makes it hard for Israeli officials to travel abroad.

Gee thats rough eh? Kind of like house arrest? They should be so lucky

"We're deeply troubled by the Palestinian action," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters.

She said joining the court "is entirely counterproductive and does nothing to further the aspirations of the

Palestinian people for a sovereign and independent state. It badly damages the atmosphere with the very people with whom they ultimately need to make peace."

Oh?? & yet how many times has the US used their Veto power at the UN Security Council to shied Israel from just claims of wrong doings?

That was not damaging to the atmosphere of making peace???

Here are over 40 such Veto's & that is just 1972 till the start of 2011(February)

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/UN/usvetoes.html

Come on US go ahead stop that 440 million & while your at it stop the silly money we the taxpayers of the US foot the bill for yearly to Israel which btw makes the 440 mill look like chump change as it it something like 8 Million every single day

Step back...Sit down...Abstain from any further veto's ....Cut aid to BOTH sides till peace prevails ....let peace happen because it is just as much you causing the riff & you know it.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Scott

[Ulysses G.]

Oh?? & yet how many times has the US used their Veto power at the UN Security Council to shied Israel from just claims of wrong doings?

That is because there is such an obvious and corrupt bias against Israel. In the 61th Session of the General Assembly, UN ambassadors enacted 22 anti-Israel resolutions and did not pass even ONE resolution on Sudan's genocide in Darfur. That is beyond bizarre.

[Seastallion]

...how humanitarian can you get.....

...what...you want war crimes against your decimated country to stop.....???

...well we better cut essential aid to you.....

Is it some debt the US owes them? Why would the US be giving money to terrorists in the first place?

Why wouldn't the US have every right to cut off aid it was never obligated to give in the first place? For any reason it chose whatsoever?

I hope the US never gives them another dollar. The money belongs to US taxpayers, not to Islamic terrorists.

Sure, they can cut off the aid for any reason they choose.

They choose to cut it off as a punitive measure because the state of Palestine wants justice for war crimes.

The message is, "Accept crimes against you", or it is "We condone war crimes".

Punished for wanting justice!

Explain it before you defend it, otherwise you're defending something you don't understand, and are thus simply parroting.

[hard124get]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Israeli lineage is from Russia. If US is condemning Israel for stealing Palestine millions, why does it not withdraw aid to Israel? Oh yeh, AIPAC owns congress.

[rickirs]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Aid for Palestine *and* aid for Israel...

Sort of like subsidizing tobacco farmers while spending money on "Stop Smoking" programs.

This is one aspect of my government that I do not care for.

"Diplomacy" might sometimes be defined as "burning the candle at both ends." One must look to the light it creates and not to the conflict that divides it.

[Steely Dan]

Oh?? & yet how many times has the US used their Veto power at the UN Security Council to shied Israel from just claims of wrong doings?

That is because there is such an obvious and corrupt bias against Israel. In the 61th Session of the General Assembly, UN ambassadors enacted 22 anti-Israel resolutions and did not pass even ONE resolution on Sudan's genocide in Darfur. That is beyond bizarre.

Well looking on the bright side such a move may help combat obesity in the Palestinian Territories.

[Prbkk]

It's very hard to imagine any change in US policy re Israel. Alienate the Israeli lobby and it's impossible to be elected to office. Even a shift by a lame-duck President would see his party's nominee beaten in the next election.

[Basil B]

"The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to U.S. President Barack Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Nobel_Peace_Prize

Nobel must be turning in his grave...

[Steely Dan]

"The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to U.S. President Barack Obama for his "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_Nobel_Peace_Prize

Nobel must be turning in his grave...

The turning started when Yasser Arafat was given the same prize, what a way to poison a legacy.

[dexterm]

Oh?? & yet how many times has the US used their Veto power at the UN Security Council to shied Israel from just claims of wrong doings?

That is because there is such an obvious and corrupt bias against Israel. In the 61th Session of the General Assembly, UN ambassadors enacted 22 anti-Israel resolutions and did not pass even ONE resolution on Sudan's genocide in Darfur. That is beyond bizarre.

Well looking on the bright side such a move may help combat obesity in the Palestinian Territories.

Read carefully the above folks...this is the Zionist mind at work that takes delight in the malnutrition of children. This is my motivation to activate for their ultimate defeat

[dexterm]

Yes, yes, do that. The Zionists will love it, but guess what? They have been under occupation for decades, with threats of mass annihilation and famine. Decades, just like Cuba. Didn't stop them.

This next move will calm the women and children of Palestine. NOT!

What occupation? no one stops them from leaving and going back to where they came from,

i.e. one of the many Arab countries in the region...

there is no such thing as Palestinians people, the name Palestine was given to this piece of land

by the Romans 2,000 year ago, Jerusalem is never mentioned in The Quran not even one time,

while it's mention 685 times in the old testaments, the prophet Muhammad never set foot

in Jerusalem and the Palestinians people have no lineage or heritage to this piece of land

the call home, Yasser Arafat himself was born in Egypt to and Egyptians parents... and yet he claim

to be a ' Palestinian'.....

Maybe you are correct - the Jews should go back to where they came from, after all, Israel has only been a blot on the landscape for the past 60 or so years...

Reading a bible, any bible will attest to the Jews right to the holy, promised land, and in that bible,

if you found any mention of Palestinians, I will never post another post in this forum again...

the fact that they been exiled time an time again from their land by mix of nations and armies

over the centuries, don't mean that any one can come in and declare this land to be theirs....

In the 21st century you cannot claim ownership of land by appealing to a popular work of fiction and hearing voices from your supernatural imaginary friends.

This is the mentality of the Jewish settler nutjobs who terrorize Palestinians on their own land every day. Google price tag Zionists.