The Trump administration is closing the Palestinian delegation's office in Washington D.C., saying it "has not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel," according to State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.The move is the latest in a pressure campaign on the Palestinians by the White House, including slashing funding, as it prepares to roll out its long-awaited peace proposal for the Israelis and Palestinians.The Palestine Liberation Organization's office has served as a de facto embassy for the Palestinian people. It's unclear when the notice will take effect.
But in a statement, Nauert accused Palestinian leadership of condemning and not cooperating with the Trump administration's forthcoming peace plan, orchestrated by President Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
"The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuse to take steps to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel," National Security Advisor John Bolton said during a speech Monday. Bolton added that there "no evidence that the PLO office in Washington contributed to diplomacy" and argued the decision "will have ultimately a positive impact on the potential for discussion among the parties as it eliminates unrealistic expectations that at least some of the parties have."
But the Palestinians were quick to blast the decision, condemning the Trump administration's "policy to collectively punish the Palestinian people," Dr. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, said in a statement.
But in a statement, Nauert accused Palestinian leadership of condemning and not cooperating with the Trump administration's forthcoming peace plan, orchestrated by President Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
"The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuse to take steps to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel," National Security Advisor John Bolton said during a speech Monday. Bolton added that there "no evidence that the PLO office in Washington contributed to diplomacy" and argued the decision "will have ultimately a positive impact on the potential for discussion among the parties as it eliminates unrealistic expectations that at least some of the parties have."
But the Palestinians were quick to blast the decision, condemning the Trump administration's "policy to collectively punish the Palestinian people," Dr. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official, said in a statement.