|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Washington, D.C., 1 August 2025 — The United States has imposed visa sanctions on officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), citing violations of longstanding peace commitments and continued support for terrorism. The move, announced by the U.S. State Department, is grounded in the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 and the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989.
According to the State Department, the sanctions respond to actions by the PA and PLO that include:
- Incitement and glorification of violence, particularly in educational materials
- Financial support to individuals convicted of terrorism
- Efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through legal channels such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ)
The U.S. emphasized that these actions undermine prospects for peace and violate prior commitments to UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which call for negotiated settlements and mutual recognition.
While the sanctions have drawn criticism from some international observers, they also signal a shift toward a more balanced and inclusive peace framework. By holding Palestinian leadership accountable, the U.S. aims to reinforce the principle that both parties to the conflict must be subject to scrutiny related to the war and that peace efforts must acknowledge shared responsibility for ongoing violence.
This approach challenges the prevailing narrative of unilateral blame and seeks to create conditions for more equitable arbitration, where grievances and violations on both sides are addressed transparently. Advocates argue that such a framework is essential to avoid biased negotiations and to foster durable, mutual understanding and reach a mutually agreeable peaceful resolution.
The sanctions come amid heightened tensions in the region, with over 60,000 Palestinians reportedly killed in Gaza since October 2023 with several hostages held on both sides and continued violence in the West Bank.
