U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Palestinian Authority Officials for 'Undermining Peace'
The State Department explained its decision to impose sanctions, saying the Palestinian groups were 'taking actions to internationalize [their] conflict with Israel, such as through the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice'
Donald Trump shakes hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2017.Credit: Evan Vucci/AP
The United States imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, saying the groups are undermining peace efforts, the State Department said in a statement on Thursday.
The move prevents those targeted from receiving visas to travel to the United States, the U.S. State Department said, although it did not list any specific individuals.
"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the department said in a statement.
The State Department said the two Palestinian groups were "taking actions to internationalize [their] conflict with Israel, such as through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ)."
The department also accused the organizations of "continuing to support terrorism, including incitement and glorification of violence (especially in textbooks), and providing payments and benefits in support of terrorism to Palestinian terrorists and their families."
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar thanked U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the State Department following the U.S. announcement.
"The PA must be held accountable for its ongoing policy of 'Pay-for-Slay' for terrorists and their families and incitement against Israel in its schools, textbooks, mosques and media," Sa'ar wrote in a post on X.
He added that the move "exposes the moral distortion" of countries that have announced that they will recognize a Palestinian state, "while turning a blind eye to its support for terror and incitement."
Representatives for the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization could not immediately be reached for comment.
The sanctions come as U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday in a bid to save cease-fire/hostage release talks and tackle the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Israel faces growing world pressure over the war in Gaza, and several Western powers have said they will recognize a Palestinian state.