Palestine files complaint over U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem in World Court

The Palestinian suit requests the court “to order the United States of America to withdraw (its) diplomatic mission from the Holy City of Jerusalem."

By REUTERS
Updated: SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 06:58
PA President Mahmoud Abbas looks on during a reception ceremony for Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Ramallah, in the West Bank, March 22, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)
PA President Mahmoud Abbas looks on during a reception ceremony for Bulgarian President Rumen Radev in Ramallah, in the West Bank, March 22, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMAD TOROKMAN)
AMSTERDAM - The International Court of Justice on Friday said it has received a complaint from the "State of Palestine" against the United States, arguing that the US government's placement of its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem violates an international treaty and it should be removed.
The ICJ, known as the World Court, said in a statement "Palestine" argues the 1961 Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations requires a country to locate its embassy on the territory of a host state. While Israel controls Jerusalem militarily, its ownership is disputed.
In December, US President Donald Trump ordered the American embassy in Israel relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and the new embassy opened in May.
The Palestinian suit requests the court “to order the United States of America to withdraw (its) diplomatic mission from the Holy City of Jerusalem."
The ICJ is the United Nations' venue for resolving disputes between nations. The "State of Palestine" was recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2012 as a non-member observer state, though its statehood is not recognized by either Israel or the United States.