U.S. State Department Imposes Sanctions on the PLO and Palestinian Authority in Ramallah

U.S. State Department Imposes Sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority in Ramallah

The United States Department of State announced on Thursday that it had imposed sanctions on the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), including a ban on issuing U.S. entry visas to members of both entities, citing allegations that they are “continuing to support terrorism.”

The move comes at a time when Canada and a growing number of European countries have pledged to recognize the State of Palestine ahead of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York this September. Global leaders have also warned that Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip face a growing risk of mass starvation due to restrictions on humanitarian aid.

While many of Washington’s allies are taking steps to elevate Palestinian officials on the international stage, the United States appears to be pursuing a strategy aimed at isolating them diplomatically through these new measures.

The State Department said in its statement that the PLO and PA “are not in compliance with their commitments under the 1989 PLO Commitments Compliance Act and the 2002 Middle East Peace Commitments Act.” The statement added that “it is in the national security interest of the United States to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for failing to meet their obligations and for undermining prospects for peace.”

It remains unclear whether the sanctions would apply to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or other senior officials, and whether they might prevent participation in the UN General Assembly. France has already announced its intention to formally recognize a Palestinian state. It is worth noting that some international leaders subject to sanctions have previously been granted entry to the U.S. to attend UN meetings.

Source | Politico, U.S. Department of State