RAMALLAH, September 10, 2018 (WAFA) – The decision by the United States to close the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) representative office in Washington is regrettable, the Palestinian government said on Monday.

“The government regrets President Trump’s administration taking this decision,” government spokesman Yousef al-Mahmoud said in a statement.

“It is a declaration of war on efforts to bring peace to our country and the region,” he said, adding it gives a green light to the Israeli occupiers to continue with their policies against the Palestinian people and land.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also condemned the US decision and said in a statement on Monday that it will not stop Palestinian efforts to take Israel to international courts.

The US decision also includes warning the International Criminal Court of grave consequences if it heeds Palestinian calls to try Israeli officials for war crimes.

The decision to close the PLO office “is part of the open war waged by the US administration and its Zionist team against our Palestinian people, their cause and just and legitimate rights,” it said. “It is a continuation of US policy of dictates and blackmail against our people in order to force them to surrender.”

M.K.