The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced sanctions against members of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), accusing both entities of fostering terrorism and obstructing efforts toward a peaceful resolution in the Middle East.
In a statement released on Thursday, the U.S. State Department declared that individuals affiliated with the PA and PLO would be denied U.S. visas.
The move, according to the department, was a response to the groups’ alleged failure to uphold international commitments and their actions undermining peace initiatives.
“These measures are aligned with our national security interests,” the statement read.
“The PLO and PA must face consequences for disregarding their obligations and sabotaging the potential for lasting peace.”
The PA and PLO function as key representatives for the Palestinian people, advocating for international recognition of an independent Palestinian state.
However, the U.S. government contended that both organizations had breached obligations under agreements like the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002.
Central to the accusations is the claim that the Palestinian leadership has attempted to “internationalize” the conflict with Israel.
This includes pursuing legal recourse through institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The State Department further accused the PA and PLO of promoting and financially supporting terrorism.
It referenced continued stipends to individuals convicted of violent acts against Israelis and their families.
The U.S. cited examples including educational materials, such as textbooks, that allegedly glorify violence or encourage anti-Israel sentiments.
These actions, according to U.S. officials, contribute to incitement and hinder any meaningful progress toward peace.
Meanwhile, the broader context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to deteriorate.
Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which began intensifying after October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, according to UN human rights experts.
Many civilians are also at risk of starvation due to Israel’s blockade of the region, prompting comparisons to acts of genocide by international observers.
In the West Bank, Israeli settlement expansion and violence—often carried out by settlers and Israeli forces, have surged.
Nearly 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the area since the start of the current conflict.
These developments have prompted several legal cases against Israel in international forums.
In a landmark decision in November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
The ICC cited war crimes committed during the Gaza offensive.
Separately, countries such as South Africa have filed cases with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide.
Despite growing international scrutiny, the United States has maintained unwavering support for Israel.
It has reportedly supplied substantial military aid and consistently opposing global efforts to hold Israeli leaders accountable.
The U.S. maintains that neither it nor Israel falls under the jurisdiction of the ICC or ICJ.
This is a stance at odds with Palestine’s status as a non-member observer at the United Nations and a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty underpinning the ICC.
The Trump administration’s latest sanctions come at a time when several Western nations, including France, the UK, and Canada, are expressing support for Palestinian statehood.
These countries are expected to endorse Palestine’s recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September.
Trump, however, has rejected these developments, labeling them as ineffective and counterproductive.
He argued that international recognition of a Palestinian state would effectively reward Hamas.
Hamas is a political and militant group that has clashed with the Palestinian Authority for control.
The U.S. has also used sanctions to pressure individuals and institutions critical of Israeli policies.
In June, American sanctions targeted ICC judges responsible for issuing warrants against Israeli officials.
More recently, the U.S. sanctioned UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who monitors human rights conditions in Palestinian territories.
The U.S. accused her of waging “political and economic warfare” against both the United States and Israel.
In response to these actions, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged an end to the harassment and threats faced by international monitors and observers.
He called for respect for their independence and mandates.