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Article snippet: The State Department on Monday announced it will close the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) offices in Washington, D.C., arguing it had failed to take steps "to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel." State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert added the decision was also prompted by Palestinian plans to bring charges against Israel for war crimes in the International Criminal Court. "The United States continues to believe that direct negotiations between the two parties are the only way forward," the statement adds. "We are not retreating from our efforts to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace." Nauert's statement criticized the PLO's leadership for what she said was a refusal to engage with the U.S. government on peace efforts. She criticized the PLO for condemning a U.S. peace plan "they have not yet seen." PLO Secretary General Saeb Erekat said in a statement before the official announcement that "the rights of the Palestinian people are not for sale." "[W]e will not succumb to US threats and bullying and that we will continue our legitimate struggle for freedom, justice, and independence, including by all political and legal means possible," Erekat added. The U.S. has announced several significant cutbacks in aid to Palestinians in recent weeks, including a $200 million rollback in economic aid and a freeze on all funding for a United Nations body that assists Palestinian refugees. The State Department is also ... Link to the full article to read more