Turkey criticises US over PLO mission closure

RAMALLAH: Turkey has strongly criticised the United States for ordering the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s mission in Washington.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement on Tuesday said the decision was “worrying,” described it as another indication that the United States had “lost its neutral position” in the Middle East peace process.

The statement said: “This decision will serve no purpose other than encourage efforts toward the destruction of a vision of a two-state solution.”

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said Monday that the mission was being shut because the PLO, in his words, had not taken steps toward negotiations with Israel.

A top Palestinian official says the Palestinians have filed a war crimes claim against Israel at the International Criminal Court over its planned razing of a West Bank Bedouin hamlet.

Saeb Erekat says Israel should be held accountable for its plan on Khan al-Ahmar. The Khan al-Ahmar encampment has focused attention on what critics say is the continued displacement of Palestinians by Israel. European countries urged Israel this week to refrain from demolition.

Israel says Khan al-Ahmar was illegally built and has offered to resettle residents 12 kilometers (7 miles) away. Critics say its removal is meant to make room for an Israeli settlement.

Israel’s Supreme Court rejected an appeal last week, paving the way for demolition.

Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmeh said Tuesday that setting up the white shipping containers, one with a Palestinian flag, is a message to Israel that “it’s our right to build on our land.”