Monday May 28, 2007 13:46 by Ameen Abu Wardeh - IMEMC News ghassanb at imemc dot org

The Palestinian government could bring a case in the International Court of Justice against Israel for kidnapping at least 35 Palestinian officials last week, said the Hamas-affiliated legislator from Nablus, Mona Mounsour, on Monday.

Mansour appealed to President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and her colleagues at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) to take immediate legal action and abandon any formal or informal discussion with the Israeli leadership, deeming such moves as futile in resolving the crisis. A clear unified Palestinian position on the continuous Israeli aggression rather than politically split, factional statements will achieve greater results, said the PLC member.

She called on Palestinian leaders to inform constituents about the kidnappings of the elected officials through an extensive media campaign.

Mansour demanded solidarity from the Arab and Islamic world, more aid to the Palestinians and increased international pressure on Israel to break the siege imposed on the occupied territories.

Last week, Israeli soldiers invaded several cities and towns in the West Bank, including Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah, kidnapping mayors, legislators and other Hamas officials and supporters, according to reports.

The Palestinian coalition government immediately called on the international community to place sanctions on Israel after the abductions. Last summer the Israeli military also targeted senior Palestinian officials after the resistance movement captured Israeli corporal Gilad Shalit in the Gaza strip. At this time, Israeli forces kidnapped at least 45 Palestinian officials and law makers.

Translated by: Ghassan Bannoura – IMEMC News Room

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