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Abbas’ Advisor justifies salaries to terrorists’ families on official PA TV after US recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Official PA TV, special broadcast on US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and transfer the US embassy to Jerusalem, hosting PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' advisor on Foreign Affairs and International Relations Nabil Shaath

Official PA TV host: “Dr. Nabil [Shaath], you have monitored the [Arab] efforts up to the moment the A rab foreign ministers’ convention was held. [What is] the significance of this meeting from your perspective in light of the American position that is biased towards the occupation state and violates the international laws and legitimacy?”


PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' advisor on Foreign Affairs and International Relations Nabil Shaath: “[US President Donald] Trump attempted to press us by closing the Palestinian [PLO] embassy in Washington (see note below –Ed.). He attempted to press us by cutting $300 million from the budget allocated to Palestine on the claim that it equals what the Palestinians pay to the families of the Martyrs (Shahids) and families of the prisoners, as if it is a crime to pay the victims of the Israeli hostile acts and Israeli crimes [an amount] that is at least enough for the needs of their families. All of these measures [are intended] to pressure us. Will our [Arab] nation stand up and cancel this [US] pressure by actually presenting the material aid in place of [the money] the US has cut and is cutting from the money intended for us?”

US recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel - On Dec. 6, 2017, US President Donald Trump gave a speech formally recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and stating that he had instructed the State Department to begin preparations to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump concluded by stating that the US is still fully committed to the peace process in the Middle East. Following his speech, Trump signed the waiver to delay the transfer of the embassy, and apparently will continue to do so until preparations for the transfer have been completed.

PLO US office closure - On Nov. 17, 2017, the American administration announced that the PLO has violated a 2015 Congressional mandate, which states that the PLO cannot operate an office in Washington if the Palestinians try to get the International Criminal Court to prosecute Israelis for crimes against the Palestinians. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson determined that the Palestinians violated this mandate in September 2017, when PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas called on the International Criminal Court to investigate and prosecute Israelis while speaking at the UN. US President Donald Trump has 90 days to determine whether the Palestinians have entered into meaningful negotiations with the Israelis and make a final decision regarding the closure of the office.

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