[Published: Monday September 17 2018]
 US revokes visas of PLO ambassador's family
WASHINGTON 17 Sep (ANA) - The US has revoked visas for the family of the PLO's ambassador in Washington, DC, the latest measure against Palestinian officials by the Trump administration.
Ambassador Husam Zomlot said his family, including his two young children, had left the US after they were informed that their visas, which were due to expire in 2020 were no longer valid.
The move follows the US announcement last week to close diplomatic offices belonging to the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, which will take effect next month.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the PLO's executive committee, condemned the decision to cancel visas for Zomlot's family.
"As if the announcement that the US would close our office in Washington, DC was not enough, this vindictive action by the Trump administration is spiteful," Ashrawi said in a statement.
Zomlot said in an interview that two of his embassy employees met last week with State Department staff, who had requested the meeting.
"The State Department informed our colleagues, as part of the discussion on the closure, that the visas of my wife and children are dependent on the PLO delegation and as such will not be valid after the closure of the office and that if they wanted to stay they would have to change their immigration status," Zomlot said.
He added: "This goes against diplomatic norms. Children, spouses and family have nothing to do with political rows."(ANA)
FA/ANA/17 September 2018------
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