Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed the United States’ decision to shut the Palestinian Liberation Organisation offices in Washington.
The US State Department announced the move in a press briefing, which has been criticised in some quarters around the world, earlier this week in response peace negotiations with Israel stalling.
“The US made the correct decision,” he said at the opening of his weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“The Palestinians refuse to enter negotiations with Israel even as they attack Israel with false claims in international forums.”
He added, “Israel very much appreciates the Trump administration’s decision and supports American actions that are designed to make it clear to the Palestinians that the refusal to enter into negotiations with Israel and the unbridled attacks against Israel will not only not advance peace but will certainly not make things better for the Palestinians.”
The State department took the decision as a result of no “direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel” despite warnings.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert explained the PLO leadership had condemned a US peace plan, having not seen it, and refused to engage with the US government regarding peace efforts in a statement on Monday.
Netanyahu made his remarks as the world remembered those who died in the 9/11 terror attack on the World Trade Center in New York and Pentagon in Washington in 2001.
“Yesterday we marked 17 years since the awful terrorist attack against the American people,” he said.
“This operation was carried out by Al-Qaeda; Al-Qaeda has passed the torch to Daesh (ISIS), even as Iran also promotes international terrorism.”
Netanyahu added that the world faced a “two-pronged challenge” from radical Islam, radical Shi’ites on the one hand led by Iran and radical Sunnis led by ISIS.
Israel’s leader noted the overall goal of eliminating free societies.
“As we recognise them, to eliminate Israel and in the end to eliminate the West and others as well,” he explained.
And Netanyahu called on world leaders to unite against terror organisations but recognised there were challenges.
“While Iran is sending terrorist cells to Europe, European leaders are appeasing and reconciling with Iran,” he said.
“This is unacceptable, the appeasement of Iran abets the relentless assault on the values and security of free societies.
“The time has come for Western governments to join the strong and clear effort by the Trump administration against the terror regime in Tehran.”
US National Security Advisor John Bolton said closing the PLO office would not shut the door to an evolving Arab-Israeli peace plan from the Trump administration.
Bolton added there was concern over Palestinian attempts to encourage an International Criminal Court ICC investigation of Israel.
And he warned of tough action against the ICC.
“The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court,” he said.
Warnings of closure to the Palestinians go back to last November if they refused to meet Israel though details of the plan have yet to be released in detail.
“The United States continues to believe that direct negotiations between the two parties are the only way forward,” Nauert explained.
“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.”
Palestinian officials blasted the move and also the recent announcement of $25 million funding cuts announced by Trump to a UN agency for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem alongside Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and US Embassy move from Tel Aviv.
“We have been officially informed that the US administration will close our embassy in Washington as a punishment for continuing to work with the International Criminal Court against Israeli war crimes,” said Palestinian official Saeb Erekat.
“This is yet another affirmation of the Trump Administration’s policy to collectively punish the Palestinian people, including by cutting financial support for humanitarian services including health and education.”
The PLO has maintained a presence in Washington to administer meetings with the US government.
ENDS