10 Sep 2018 | 06:54 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Protests possible following US closure of PLO office
United States announces the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, DC, on September 10; associated protests likely in Palestinian Territories
Event
The US State Department announced the official closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) office in Washington, DC, on Monday, September 10. According to the press release, the decision came after the Trump administration determined that the PLO has not taken sufficient steps to advance negotiations with Israel, notably pointing to the PLO's calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel. Protests in the Palestinian Territories are likely following this announcement.
Context
On August 31, the Trump administration announced that the US would cease all funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), triggering protests in the Gaza Strip. The US also cut its funding to six East Jerusalem hospitals on September 8. Advocates warn that these moves could lead to a chain reaction of humanitarian consequences.
Advice
Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments and to avoid all protests and demonstrations due to the underlying risk of violence. Some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.
