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US sanctions target Palestinian officials over non-compliance with peace commitments
The United States has announced visa sanctions against officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), citing non-compliance with international agreements and actions that undermine peace efforts. The sanctions, unveiled by the State Department on Thursday, aim to hold the PA and PLO accountable for failing to honor their commitments under U.S. legislation.
In a statement, the State Department emphasized that the move aligns with U.S. national security interests, highlighting concerns over the PLO's and PA's actions. These include involvement in international legal cases, such as at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as well as accusations of supporting and glorifying terrorism, including financial aid to individuals involved in attacks.
The sanctions come ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York this September, where multiple countries have signaled their intent to recognize a Palestinian state. It remains unclear how these measures will affect the representation of Palestinian officials at the event.
The PA, led by Mahmoud Abbas, governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, home to approximately three million Palestinians and half a million Israeli settlers. Meanwhile, Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, a region severely impacted by conflict since its October 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered an ongoing military campaign.
The U.S. move also coincides with rising tensions surrounding the ICC, which has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, further complicating the region's geopolitical landscape.