From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 19, 2015
Palestinian ICC bid a ‘huge mistake’ – Baird
Canada’s foreign minister John Baird says the Palestinians “made a huge mistake” by pursuing war crimes charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court.
Prior to meeting Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Baird says the Palestinians crossed a “red line” and that he “communicated that in no uncertain terms” in his meetings with Palestinian leaders.
Canada has been one of only a few Western countries to stand by Israel as it has come under fierce international criticism over deadlocked negotiations with the Palestinians, the recent Gaza war and settlement construction. It has also vocally opposed the Palestinians’ attempts to reach statehood without direct negotiations with Israel.
Baird says Canada will not stay silent with Israel under fire.
— AP
