-The Trump administration announced Monday that it is closing the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission in Washington, citing Palestinian leaders' resistance to peace talks and attempts to get an international court to prosecute Israel for alleged war crimes.
The announcement marks the latest blow by the United States against the Palestinians amid a stalled Mideast peace process.
"The United States will always stand with our friend and ally, Israel," National Security Adviser John Bolton said during a speech to the Federalist Society. "The Trump administration will not keep the office open when the Palestinians refuse to take steps to start direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel."
He added: "The United States supports a direct and robust peace process, and we will not allow the ICC (International Criminal Court), or any other organization, to constrain Israel's right to self-defense."
The White House has reportedly mulled shutting down the PLO mission in Washington since last November, unless the Palestinian leadership enters serious peace talks with Israel.
Bolton's announcement on closing the mission adheres to a provision in U.S. law saying the PLO mission must close if the Palestinians try to get the ICC to prosecute Israelis for crimes against Palestinians...
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