Palestinians join Geneva Conventions on war — Switzerland

The Palestinian Authority has signed up formally to the Geneva Conventions, which set down the rules of warfare and humanitarian operations in conflict zones, the treaties’ guardian Switzerland confirmed Friday, according to Agence France-Presse.

Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger told AFP that the Palestinian Authority had declared itself party to the conventions on April 2.

This was registered formally by Switzerland on Thursday, he added.

The step is part of a new diplomatic drive by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, coming as peace talks with Israel are close to collapse.

Abbas said he had received a letter from the Swiss president confirming the registration, and praised it as “an historic day for the Palestinian people”, a senior Palestinian official said.

The Palestinians had pledged to freeze all moves to seek membership in UN organisations and international conventions — a stepping stone to recognition of their hoped-for state — during the talks in return for Israel’s release of veteran Arab prisoners.

Israel has, meanwhile, made a new bid to expand settlements in annexed Arab East Jerusalem.

The original Geneva Conventions were crafted in the 19th century under the auspices of the Swiss-based International Committee of the Red Cross, and recast after World War II.

Over the subsequent decades, optional protocols were added to take into account the developing realities of war and its impact on civilians.

The Palestinians have also submitted requests to the United Nations to join 13 other international conventions and treaties, and the world body said Thursday that the move was legal.

The treaties include the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, the convention on the rights of the child, the convention against torture and an anti-corruption accord.

‘Piracy’

Meanwhile, the Palestinian negotiator in Mideast peace talks is calling Israel’s decision to stop tax money transfers “piracy”, The Associated Press reported.

Saeb Erekat said Friday that “the Israeli decision to withhold these funds is piracy. ... It cannot be maintained.” He also said talks persist, though “gaps remain big”.

Erekat spoke a day after an Israeli official said Israel would stop the tax money transfers in retaliation for the Palestinians pushing to sign up for more recognition from international agencies and treaties. That comes after Israel failed to release Palestinian prisoners as promised and moved forward with more settlements in land Palestinians want for their future capital.

Israel collects about $100 million a month in taxes for the Palestinians. US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki called the Israeli move “unfortunate” on Friday.