An ICC meeting. Photo: ICC Website.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that his government will have no choice but to turn to the International Court of Justice in The Hague in an attempt to force Israel to stop construction in area E1 between Jerusalem and Maaleh Adumim and to transfer the tax money Israel traditionally has collected for the authority but has withheld since Abbas won U.N. nonmember state recognition on Nov. 29.

Speaking at a conference of Arab League foreign ministers in Doha, Qatar, Abbas said, “This [Israel’s intention to construct housing units in E1] is an illegal move, one which the international community must stop immediately. The move will bring about the end of the two-state vision. Such moves leave us with no choice.”

The upgraded status of “Palestine” as a nonmember state permits PA leaders to apply to UN organizations, such as the international court, for assistance.