Palestinians call for closing US office in West Bank

Scores of Palestinian activists yesterday called for the US security office in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah to be closed in protest against America’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Arabi21 reported.

During their action, the activists raised placards condemning the US’ stance towards the Palestinian cause. Placards included: “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine” and “No to the US dollar.. No to American policies.”

Activist Isam Abu-Baker said: “We came here to tell the Americans: your existence in Palestine is unwanted and you are not welcome.”

He added: “All the political, economic and security offices of the US administration in the State of Palestine have to close.”

Read: Security cooperation with Israel is ‘continuous’, says Abbas

Abu-Baker also said: “We stressed today that we reject the US pressure on the Palestinian leadership and also stressed that the Palestinian rights are not subject for concessions.”

The US security office used to train Palestinian security forces in the past however it is unclear what its mandate is to date.

Yesterday scores of Palestinian activists evicted an American economic delegation hosted by the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce in Bethlehem. Palestinian Authority security services later summoned the activists who took part in the protest.