OCCUPIED JERUSALEM — The Palestinian foreign minister says the Palestinians will not give in to “extortion” after a US threat to close their diplomatic mission in Washington.

In an interview on Palestine Radio on Saturday, Riad Malki said the Palestinians are waiting for further communication from the US government. “The ball is now in the American court,” he said.

US officials, citing US law, said Friday that the Trump administration has put the Palestinians on notice that it will shutter their office in Washington unless they have entered serious peace talks with Israel. President Donald Trump has 90 days to make a decision.

Malki said the US move may be aimed at putting pressure on the Palestinians. “The Palestinian leadership will not accept any extortion or pressure,” he said.

Under a law passed by Congress, the Palestinians lose their ability to have a mission in the US capital if they support an ICC investigation of Israelis for crimes against Palestinians.

A State Department official says Palestinian leaders made comments that crossed that line.

But the law gives President Donald Trump a way to stop the closure.

Trump now has 90 days to consider whether the Palestinians are in “direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.”

If Trump determines they are, the Palestinian office stays open.

The officials weren’t authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. — Agencies