Far-right lawmaker threatens to block Palestinian Authority from top court

Threats come after Palestinian Authority submitted a request to join International Court of Justice

BEIT JALLA, occupied West Bank — A far-right Israeli lawmaker has threatened to block the Palestinian Authority (PA) from joining the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if it goes ahead with its request to join the court.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, head of the Otzma Yehudit party, said he would use his position as a member of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee to block any funding for the PA's membership in the court.

The PA submitted its request to join the ICJ on Sept. 2, arguing that it is a "full-fledged state" and that it has the right to seek justice for the Palestinian people.

The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations and is responsible for settling legal disputes between states.

If the PA's request is approved, it would be the first time that a non-member state of the UN has joined the ICJ.

Ben-Gvir's threat to block the PA's membership in the ICJ is the latest in a series of attacks on the Palestinian leadership by the far-right lawmaker.

In recent months, Ben-Gvir has called for the annexation of the occupied West Bank and the expulsion of all Palestinians from the territory.

He has also called for the death penalty for Palestinians who attack Israelis and for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Ben-Gvir's views are widely seen as extreme, even within the Israeli far right.

However, he has gained popularity in recent months, capitalizing on the growing anger and frustration among Israeli voters over the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians.

His threat to block the PA's membership in the ICJ is likely to further increase his popularity among his supporters.

However, it is unclear whether Ben-Gvir will be able to carry out his threat.

The Knesset is unlikely to approve funding for the PA's membership in the ICJ without the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has not yet taken a position on the PA's request to join the court.

However, he has previously said that he is opposed to the PA joining any international organizations.

If Netanyahu does not support Ben-Gvir's threat, it is unlikely that the Knesset will approve funding for the PA's membership in the ICJ.