RAMALLAH, November 19, 2017 (WAFA) – News about US administration plans to shut down the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington hit the front pages of the three Arabic Palestinian dailies on Sunday.
Al-Quds, al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said the US State Department decided to close the PLO office in Washington if the Palestinians refuse to engage in serious peace talks with Israel.
The three dailies also reported Palestinian officials and figures’ reactions to the news.
Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement this measure “is unprecedented in the history of US-Palestinian relations, which could have serious consequences on the peace process and US-Arab relations”.
Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization‘s (PLO) Executive Committee, said in a statement from Washington, "We responded with an official letter that in case you officially close the PLO office in Washington, D.C., we will put on hold all our communications with this American administration."
Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said that the Palestinian leadership will not accept any blackmail or pressure regarding the operation of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) delegation in Washington or negotiations.
Al-Ayyam said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the move.
The three dailies also reported that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened on Saturday for the first time under Palestinian Authority (PA) supervision, which took control of the crossing on Wednesday after 10 years of Hamas control.
Al-Quds and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles to the east of the district of Hebron, causing damages to some cars.
Al-Ayyam said Israel’s Channel 2 revealed that US President Donald Trump’s peace plans include offering a state for the Palestinian but without evacuation of settlements.
The Palestinian factions are set to meet in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss the remaining issues on reconciliation, such as security, elections and others, according to al-Quds.
K.T/M.H
