The Latest: Turkey criticizes the United States following the closure of an OLP mission


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The Latest on Reaction to the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization mission in Washington (local time):

3:55 p.m.

Turkey has sharply criticized the United States for ordering the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization's mission in Washington.

A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that the decision was "disturbing", describing it as another indication that the United States had "lost its neutral stance" in the Middle East peace process.

The statement said: "This decision will serve no purpose other than to encourage efforts to destroy the vision of a two-state solution."

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Monday that the mission was being closed because the PLO, in his words, had not taken steps to negotiate with Israel.

24:30

A senior Palestinian official said the Palestinians had filed a war crimes complaint against Israel at the International Criminal Court for shaving a Bedouin hamlet in the West Bank.

Saeb Erekat says that Israel should be held accountable for its project on Khan al-Ahmar.

The Khan al-Ahmar encampment has drawn attention to what critics say is the continued displacement of Palestinians by Israel. European countries urged Israel this week to refrain from demolishing.

Israel says Khan al-Ahmar was illegally built and offered to resettle residents at 12 kilometers (7 miles). Critics say his withdrawal aims to make room for an Israeli settlement.

The Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal last week, paving the way for demolition.

Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmeh said Tuesday that the establishment of white maritime containers, one with a Palestinian flag, was a message to Israel: "It is our right to build on our land".

11:25

Palestinian militants have set up five shipping containers near a Bedouin hamlet to protest Israel's destruction of the West Bank encampment.

The Khan al-Ahmar encampment has drawn attention to what critics say is the continued displacement of Palestinians by Israel. European countries urged Israel this week to refrain from demolishing.

Israel says Khan al-Ahmar was illegally built and offered to resettle residents at 12 kilometers (7 miles). Critics say his withdrawal aims to make room for an Israeli settlement.

The Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal last week, paving the way for demolition.

Palestinian activist Abdallah Abu Rahmeh said Tuesday that the establishment of white maritime containers, one with a Palestinian flag, was a message to Israel: "It is our right to build on our land".

11:20 am

The Palestinian envoy to Washington said his aides had a month to go after the Trump administration ordered the closure of the Palestine Liberation Organization mission.

Husam Zomlot told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the closure would not deter Palestinians from seeking a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

US National Security Adviser John Bolton said on Monday that the mission was being closed because the PLO, in his words, had not taken steps to negotiate with Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suspended relations with the Trump administration in December after the United States recognized the disputed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Zomlot was called home by Abbas in the spring as part of the crisis.

Zomlot said: "We lost the US administration but we acquired our national rights."

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