From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 29, 2023
‘It’s not where the president is’: US official waves off idea of Palestine recognition
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr is asked during a webinar with Americans for Peace Now whether US President Joe Biden could recognize the state of Palestine on undefined borders in order to promote a two-state solution.
“It’s not where the president is to be honest, but it’s a fair question,” Amr responds.
Later on in the webinar, Amr is asked whether the Biden administration will allow the PLO to reopen its diplomatic mission in Washington, which was shuttered by former president Donald Trump in 2018.
“I don’t anticipate any developments in the immediate term,” Amr says.
“It’s a great question for the Palestinian leadership,” he adds, hinting that the onus is on Ramallah to alter its welfare policy to cease payments to security prisoners and their families. Congressional law bars diplomatic activity by Palestinian representatives on its soil so long as such stipends continue.
Palestinian leaders have long defended the payments, describing them as a form of social welfare and necessary compensation for victims of Israel’s callous military justice system in the West Bank.
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