Palestinian National Council Says Closure of PLO Office in US Reward to Israel

Amman, MINA – The Palestinian National Council (PNC), the parliament in exile, strongly rejected on Monday the US decision not to renew the permit for the operation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, saying this decision rewards Israel for its continued illegal settlement activities.

The US decision is an attempt to pressure and blackmail the Palestinians against pursing Israel for its crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip at the International Criminal Court, WAFA reported, citing PNC president, Salim Zanoon, in a statement.

He said this move conflicts with the US role as mediator and sponsor of efforts to revive the deadlocked Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

KUNA from Cairo reported that Arab League’s Foreign Ministers on Sunday appealed to the US administration to reconsider its decision regarding not to renew license of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) office in Washington.

This came in a statement at the conclusion of an emergency meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers held at the Cairo-based Arab League’s headquarters.

The statement stressed the importance of promoting communication channels between Palestine, including PLO’s office, and the US administration in order to launch serious and purposeful Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to achieve a permanent and fair peace. (T/RS5/RS!)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)