U.S. raises status of PLO mission in Washington

A.P. photo/ Ron Edward

The U.S. has raised the diplomatic status of the PLO mission in Washington to that of a “general delegation.”  The new status is short of what states have, but it gives officials in the mission diplomatic immunity and enables them to display the PLO flag.

The Zionist Organization of America  (ZOA) denounced the change: “This amounts to a reward for continuing P.A. incitement against Jews and Israel, promoting hatred and violence, as well as its refusal to negotiate.”  “The U.S. has given Abbas’ PA this upgrade despite the complete absence of Palestinian action to arrest terrorists, and end incitement to hatred and murder against Israel in its controlled media, mosques, schools and youth camps.”

President Obama has arranged to double U.S. subsidy of the Palestinian Authority (P.A.), bringing the annual total up to $1.3 billion.  P.A. Arabs get more foreign aid per capita than does anyone else.  Obama had promised to hold the P.A. accountable for its incitement to violence  (7/26/10 press release by ZOA, headquartered in New York and of which I am a member) 

Years ago, when the PLO first was declared a terrorist organization, Americans asked the government to close its offices in Washington and New York.  The government refused.  Does Obama feel that by inciting to hatred and murder and failing to arrest terrorists, the PLO deserves to be elevated closer to statehood?

Recently, France made a similar change in PLO status.