WASHINGTON: The Trump administration is using an obscure provision in U.S. law to threaten the Palestinians with the closing of their office in Washington if they don't enter serious peace talks with Israel.
An administration official tells The Associated Press that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is citing the law as a reason for closing the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission.
Under U.S. law, the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission must close if the Palestinians try to get the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israelis for crimes against Palestinians. A State Department official says that in September, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas crossed that line by calling on the ICC to investigate and prosecute Israelis.
If President Donald Trump determines that the Palestinians are in serious negotiations with Israel, the office can remain open.