The Trump administration in the US has announced its decision to have the Palestinian Labour Organisation offices in Washington closed. The Palestinian Labour Organisation office has, for a while been the focus of controversy. Last year, the Trump administration had made warnings in relation to the closure of the office. This was after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for the Israeli officials to be investigated and prosecuted by the ICC and other bodies.
Mr. Erekat responded at the time that such a move would undermine prospects for peace.
The PLO office was opened in 1994 and later joined the ICC in 2012 after it received observer state status at the U.N. President Donald Trump has shown strong support for Israel and criticized Palestinian leaders for not doing enough to work toward a peace deal. The Trump administration stated that the PLO has not worked with the U.S government in peace efforts. The group also condemned an American peace plan that is yet to be released.
The State Department added that the decision to close the PLO offices is consistent with concerns within the administration and in the U.S. Congress. Issues of concern include Palestinian attempts to get the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take legal action against Israel.
John Bolton, President Donald Trump’s security advisor spoke about the ICC during his visit to the Federalist Society research group in Washington, on Monday. He noted that government had not signed the treaty creating the court and as a result does not recognize it. He also said the U.S would consider restrictions against ICC lawyers or officials involved in efforts to investigate Americans.
The Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza are not recognised by the US as an independent state. However, The United Nations General Assembly voted in 2012 to recognize Palestine as what it calls a “member observer state.”
The United States announced this month that it would put all payments to the U.N to a halt. The U.S. government is responsible for supplying supplies almost 30 percent of the budget for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency. Furthermore, the government cancelled another $200 million in direct aid to Palestinians last month.
