Abbas to pursue war crimes charges against Israel

Stung by a resounding defeat at the UN Security Council, the Palestinians have joined the International Criminal Court to pursue war crimes charges against Israel.

The move by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sets the stage for a diplomatic showdown with the US and is likely to draw an angry response from Israel.

Mr Abbas has been under heavy domestic pressure to take action against Israel following months of tensions fuelled by the collapse of US-brokered peace talks, a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, a spate of deadly Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets, and Israeli restrictions on Palestinian access to a key Muslim holy site in Jerusalem.