Jerusalem • Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday he was "deeply surprised" by a U.S. threat to close the Palestinian Liberation Organization's office in Washington unless it enters direct peace negotiations with Israel.
He said a U.S. decision not to recertify the office of the PLO, the main Palestinian negotiating body, was an "unprecedented step" in the history of U.S.-Palestinian relations and has "dangerous consequences" for peace.
A State Department official said that the decision was taken due to "certain statements made by Palestinian leaders about the ICC," referring to the International Criminal Court. The office could be reopened if after 90 days the president determines the Palestinians have entered into "direct, meaningful negotiations with Israel.