Washington: Palestinian Authority actions undermined prospects for a ceasefire and prisoner releases
Al-Khamisa News Network - Gaza
The U.S. State Department issued a clarifying statement regarding its position on the Palestinian delegation’s participation in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, saying its opposition to the decision to allow virtual participation “should not be surprising.”
The department said the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has held both the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority responsible for “failing to adhere to the Oslo Accords and undermining prospects for peace,” noting that they “are not reliable partners in the peace process.”
The statement added that the Palestinians pledged to renounce “terrorism and acts of violence,” but that the Palestinian Authority “continues to reward and encourage terrorism by paying stipends to attackers and their families,” describing the practice as “egregious and it must stop immediately.”
The U.S. State Department also stressed that the Palestinians must publicly and unequivocally reject “terrorism,” including what it called the “October 7 massacre,” and must end incitement “in school curricula,” in line with U.S. law and previous commitments by the PLO.
The statement criticized the Palestinian Authority’s failure to “directly condemn attacks against Israeli civilians,” citing the September 8 attack at a bus station in Jerusalem that killed six Israelis.
It said that “indirect condemnations, or accusations against Israel of committing genocide, do not meet the standards of condemning terrorism.”
The State Department also warned the Palestinian Authority against “attempts to internationalize the conflict” by turning to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, saying such moves “contribute to undermining talks on a ceasefire in Gaza and encourage Hamas not to release hostages.”
In closing, it said Washington “will remain open to reengaging with the Palestinians, provided they adhere to their agreements and take tangible steps toward a constructive path to settlement and peaceful coexistence with Israel.”
