Palestinians join Geneva Conventions
Friday, 11 April 2014
The Palestinian Authority has signed up formally to the Geneva Conventions, which set down the rules of warfare and humanitarian operations in conflict zones, the treaties' guardian Switzerland confirmed Friday. Swiss foreign ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger said that the Palestinian Authority had declared itself party to the conventions on April 2. This was registered formally by Switzerland on Thursday, he added. The step is part of a new diplomatic drive by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, coming as peace talks with Israel are close to collapse, according to AFP.