Take a moral stand for Palestine

The Palestinians have a clear case against Israel and they are upping the ante in international forums, putting pressure on the regime in Tel Aviv. Palestinians have paid with their lives for peacefully protesting against the regime in Tel Aviv. This should be enough proof for the International Criminal Court at The Hague to initiate a thorough probe into atrocities by the Israel forces. Talks between Israel and Palestinian leaders broke down four years ago and there are no signs it will revive in an atmosphere of distrust. Israel, with its targeting of peaceful protests by the Palestinians and settlement building on land that is not theirs, has pushed the limits of its excesses and violence against a people who are demanding what is rightfully theirs while seeking justice against the regime. The move by Palestinian leaders to take their case to the ICC proves that the movement against Zionist forces will be relentless.
The United States, which until its decision to shift its embassy to Jerusalem, was viewed as a broker for peace. Not anymore. The Palestinians may be on their own in a sense after a dishonest broker in the form of a superpower left their ranks as the world focuses on other problems. But that has not diminished their will to fight against forces that may appear bigger than them. To keep the momentum going in these circumstances is challenging, yet the Palestinian leadership is mounting a legal challenge and pursuing all options. They must be commended for their deft art of diplomacy and appealing to the conscience of institutions for justice that they deserve after Israel denied them their rights for seven decades. This is a fight for dignity and to stay motivated under such pressure is a tribute to their persistance. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said he submitted a "referral" to the court during a meeting with the ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda. This referral wants a full investigation into Israeli policies in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip since the state of Palestine accepted the ICC's jurisdiction in 2014, he said. The Israeli regime won't be happy with this move and could threaten to make it worse for Gaza and the West Bank, but the Palestinians have nothing to lose. They have resolved to stand up and take the fight to the enemy outside their turf, and it is the responsibility of all countries to aid them. There is a moral victory to be won, and the world needs to stand with Palestine.