The US is withdrawing from the “optional protocol” in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, John Bolton has confirmed. He said it follows a case brought by Palestine, challenging the US embassy’s move to Jerusalem.
Bolton said:
“I am announcing that the president has decided that the United States will withdraw from the optional protocol and dispute resolution to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.”
US withdrawal from Vienna treaty protocol irks Ramallah https://t.co/S03FQ1zZmZ pic.twitter.com/RK81RHd0sN
— ANADOLU AGENCY (ENG) (@anadoluagency) October 4, 2018
He added:
“This is in connection with a case brought by the so-called state of Palestine, naming the United States as the defendant, challenging our move of our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”
The decision will see the US opting out of having to attend the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of disputes, as outlined in Article I of the “Optional Protocol Concerning the Compulsory Settlement of Disputes.”
Hamas: US withdrawal from Vienna protocol reflects its isolation via PIC @PalinfoEn https://t.co/f7Jhmlkcun
— Palestine Info Center (@palinfoen) October 4, 2018
Article I states:
“Disputes arising out of the interpretation or application of the Convention shall lie within the compulsory jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and may accordingly be brought before the Court by an application made by any party to the dispute being a Party to the present Protocol.”
US pulls out from Vienna Convention protocol – https://t.co/i56qzoDhea pic.twitter.com/R25nNsralA
— IBC World News (@Ibcworldnews) October 4, 2018
The US is not the only country to deny acknowledgment of Palestine as a state. Its Western European allies also refrain from doing so, along with Australia and Canada. However, most countries in South America, Asia, and Africa do, along with the majority of Eastern Europe.
(RT, PC, Social Media)
