Benjamin Netanyahu Hails US Decision To Close Palestinian Mission

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hailed the United States for closing the Palestine Liberation Organisation mission in Washington.

"The US made the correct decision regarding the PLO mission in Washington," Netanyahu said in a statement published on Twitter.

The Israeli premier's comment comes a day after the US State Department announced it would shutter the mission, accusing Palestinians leaders of refusing to engage with the US or Israel.

"Israel supports American actions that are designed to make it clear to the Palestinians that refusing to negotiate and attempts to attack Israel in international forums will not advance peace," Netanyahu said.

The State Department cited a move by the Palestinians to have Israeli officials prosecuted at the International Criminal Court in The Hague as one of the reasons for closing the mission, saying such actions violated conditions set for the delegation in Washington.

Relations have nosedived in recent months between the United States and the Palestinian leadership, which cut off contact with President Donald Trump's administration in December after he recognised the disputed city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

The State Department has accused Palestinian leaders of rejecting outright a still unseen US peace plan, while in turn the Trump administration is viewed by the Palestinians as being biased in favour of Israel.