Israel threatens more punitive steps against Palestinians

Israeli leaders on Sunday threatened to take tougher action against the Palestinians over their decision to join the International Criminal Court, a day after freezing the transfer of more than $100 million in tax funds. Last week’s Palestinian decision to seek membership in the international court has infuriated Israel. The Palestinians have said they intend on using their new membership in the Hague-based tribunal to press war crimes cases against Israel. In an initial response over the weekend, Israel said it had frozen tax funds collected for the Palestinians. The monthly transfers are a key source of revenue for the cash-strapped Palestinian government. Netanyahu’s government minister for strategic affairs, Yuval Steinitz, said Israel could take even tougher action.

The Palestinian Authority has chosen confrontation with Israel and we will not sit idly by.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet

The Palestinians sought membership in the international tribunal after the U.N. Security Council voted down a resolution setting a three-year deadline for the establishment of a Palestinian state on lands occupied by Israel. On Sunday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said officials were considering going back to the council. Also Sunday, Israel’s Shin Bet security service said it arrested a Palestinian militant cell that drew inspiration from the Islamic State extremist group. It said the cell was based in the West Bank city of Hebron and plotted shooting and bombing attacks. The cell had no formal ties to Islamic State.

Middle East