Palestinians can join Geneva Conventions

GENEVA – Twenty-five years after making their first bid for membership, the Palestinians can join the Geneva Conventions governing the rules of war and military occupations, the Swiss government said Friday.

Israel opposed the move, arguing that no universally recognized Palestinian state exists and that it would complicate peace talks.

The Palestinian Authority signed letters of accession to several international treaties after Israel failed to carry out a planned prisoner release that had a March deadline.

One aspect of the Geneva Conventions that has raised particular concern in Israel is the prohibition on colonizing occupied land. Israel says this should not apply to the stateless West Bank and Gaza.