Michael Oren: Trump Decision to Close PLO Office Advances Peace

"US President Donald Trump's administration's decision Tuesday to close the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission in Washington will help bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Michael Oren (Kulanu), a former ambassador to the United States.

Oren said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his people have grown accustomed over the years to violating agreements freely without consequences. For example, he said, there is an article in the Oslo Accords that forbids them to act in order to recognize a Palestinian state outside negotiations with Israel.

'With the closing of the PLO office in Washington, the American administration is not changing the rules of the game, but simply restoring them after years of neglect,' Oren said. 'It should be noted that in contrast to previous administrations that would reward the Palestinians for abandoning the negotiations with Israel, President Trump is forcing the Palestinians to pay a price. As we have seen in the past – giving gifts to the Palestinians only keeps them away from the peace talks, and now the Americans are punishing them in order to make them return to the table.'..."