Germany: US closure of Palestinian mission complicates talks

BERLIN – Germany’s Foreign Ministry says the U.S. decision to shut down the Palestinians’ de facto embassy in Washington could complicate trying to get Palestinians and Israelis back to the table to talk about a two-state solution in the Middle East.

Spokeswoman Maria Adebahr told reporters Friday that the decision is a bilateral issue, but the Foreign Ministry fears it could complicate “the resumption of talks for a two-state solution.”

The Trump administration notified the Palestinians last year it planned to shutter their office in Washington unless they entered serious peace talks with Israel, and on Monday made good on that promise, announcing the mission was being closed.