THE Palestinian Authority has condemned the US for removing a Jewish extremist group from its list of terrorist organisations, saying it amounted to a reward for its actions. 

The State Department has delisted Kach, a terror group formed by Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1971, known for violent attacks on Palestinians and advocating their removal from Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. 

Its removal was justified on the grounds that it “has not been linked to a terrorist attack since 2005.”

But while the group has remained largely dormant, supporters of its late Rabbi founder have continue to exert significance in Israeli politics. 

It has previously been a part of Israeli governments led by former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Itamar Ben-Gvir, who leads the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) movement continues to incite against Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the decision and said it was rewarding Israeli extremist groups. 

It reminded Washington that by contrast the Palestine Liberation Organisation remained on its terror list despite the United Nations recognising it as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. 

The Palestinian presidency called on the US administration “to reverse its dangerous decision and to take a historic decision to remove the PLO from its list of terrorist organisations.”

“While President Biden has affirmed to President Mahmoud Abbas his commitment to the two-state solution, his rejection of settlements and the expulsion of residents and the demolition of homes, as well as his commitment to maintain the historic status quo at the al-Aqsa mosque, the US administration is never fulfilling its commitments to peace and stability,” a statement said.