Why Palestine’s International Criminal Court bid matters

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has submitted an application on behalf of Palestine for membership in the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague. The move could see Israel tried for war crimes.

While Abbas says the move is meant to advance the Palestinian struggle for independence, others see it as a desperate attempt to raise his credibility and increase support among Palestinians — especially after Hamas’ strong performance in last summer’s deadly war against Israel in Gaza and a failed United Nations Security Council resolution to end Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories by 2017.

What’s really behind the move? Does the ICC bid even matter? Will Israel be tried for war crimes? And what's next for Palestinians? AJ+ answers these questions and more.