Washington, October 8 (RHC)-- U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, speaking at the White House, has claimed that Palestine is not a state.  The right-wing adviser to Donald Trump said: "It's not a state now.  It does not meet the customary international law test of statehood.  It doesn't control defined boundaries.  It doesn't fulfill normal functions of government.  There are a whole host of reasons why it's not a state." 

Bolton was resolute in referring to Palestine as a "so-called state,” also claiming that refusing to acknowledge Palestine’s statehood does not undermine U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s plans for peace in the Middle East.   Recently, the U.S. president said his administration will offer a Mideast 'peace plan' within the next two to four months. 

The Trump administration, in a controversial decision, moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem -- Palestine’s capital -- from Tel-Aviv in May.  The Palestinian Authority filed a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a United Nations tribunal, to contest the United States’ action.  

The Palestine Liberation Organization declared independence in 1988 and 137 United Nations member states recognize the declaration.