WASHINGTON, D.C. (SDJW)– U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday, April 21, that the U.S.considers an “extreme step” the suggestion by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he might dissolve the Palestinian Authority in response to the lack of progress in the talks with Israel brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
“That type of extreme step would obviously have grave implications,” Psaki told news media. “A great deal of effort has gone into building Palestinian institutions by Palestinians as well as the international community, and it would certainly not be in the interests of the Palestinian people for all of that to be lost.
“We – the United States has put millions of dollars into this effort. It would obviously have very serious implications for our relationship, including our assistance going forward. And as I just noted, of course, the parties are continuing to work to find the basis for extending the negotiations. Ambassador Indyk is there to help facilitate that, and that’s where our focus is.”
The spokeswoman said efforts of Indyk is to get Israel and the Palestinians to extend their talks beyond the April 29 deadline. She said she had no announcement to make in response to a question about whether Secretary Kerrry planned another trip to the region in the immediate future.
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