RAMALLAH, September 10, 2018 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Authority was defiant on Monday despite US threats and measures, the latest was closing the Palestine Liberation Organization‘s (PLO) Washington office.

US State Department announced officially on Monday closure of the PLO office, citing failure of the Palestinians to take steps "to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.”

It said the “PLO leadership has condemned a US peace plan they have not yet seen and refused to engage with the US government with respect to peace efforts and otherwise.” It also cited concern over Palestinians going to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute Israeli officials over its war crimes against the Palestinian people.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas, said that "holding on to Jerusalem and preserving it and our Palestinian people‘s rights, especially, and in addition to Jerusalem, the refugees‘ issue and the rest of the rights that our people and leadership are in consensus over, are more important than the relationship with the United States."

He said: "The recent US decision to close the PLO office in Washington will not change our position towards preserving our Islamic and Christian holy places and our commitment to the United Nations resolutions and the decisions of the Arab and Islamic summits related to the Palestinian issue. We have always acted to implement these resolutions."

The US is also expected to announce on Monday action against the ICC if it decides to prosecute Israelis.

M.K.