U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Palestinian Officials for Violating Peace Agreements and Supporting Terrorism

The U.S. State Department announced Friday a new round of sanctions against officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), citing a failure to adhere to long-standing commitments related to peace and the mitigation of terrorism.

The sanctions, which deny visas to those targeted, come after a determination that the PA and PLO are not in compliance with key U.S. laws.

In a media note, the State Department reported to Congress that the PA and PLO have been found to be in violation of the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).
The statement outlines several specific areas of non-compliance. The U.S. government claims the Palestinian entities have been “initiating and supporting actions at international organizations that undermine and contradict prior commitments in support of Security Council Resolution 242 and 338.”

Furthermore, the State Department noted that the PA and PLO have been “taking actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel such as through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).” This refers to the Palestinian leadership’s ongoing legal challenges against Israel in international forums.

Another key issue highlighted in the statement is the PA’s support for terrorism. The State Department asserts that the organizations are “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.”

The visa restrictions are being implemented in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA. The sanctions are framed as a necessary measure to uphold U.S. national security interests.

The State Department’s media note concludes by stating, “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.”