WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM—‘’The Administration has determined after careful review that the office of the General Delegation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington should close,’’ U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert announced.
The U.S. explained the move by the fact that ‘’the PLO has not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.’’
‘’To the contrary, PLO leadership has condemned a U.S. peace plan they have not yet seen and refused to engage with the U.S. government with respect to peace efforts,’’ the spokeswoman said.
The State Department said the decision to close the PLO office ‘’is consistent with Administration and Congressional concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court.’’
‘’The United States continues to believe that direct negotiations between the two parties are the only way forward. This action should not be exploited by those who seek to act as spoilers to distract from the imperative of reaching a peace agreement. We are not retreating from our efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace,’’ the statement said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the US decision ‘’the corrrect one.’’
“The United States made the right decision in regards to the PLO mission in Washington D.C,” he said. “Israel supports the American actions aimed at making it clear to the Palestinians that their refusal to negotiate and their attempts to attack Israel in international forums will not promote peace.” he added.
The move came after three consecutive weeks of announced US funding cuts to the Palestinians and on the heels of US President Donald Trump’s remarks that he’ll only resume financial support if the Palestinians agree to a peace deal with Israel.
The PA has boycotted the Trump administration and rebuffed its peace efforts since the US president’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last December.