The United States on Thursday sanctioned Palestinian Authority officials and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) members after accusing them of undermining peace efforts with Israel.
The State Department condemned cases brought against Israel in the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice while accusing PLO members of supporting “terrorism” through allegedly inciting and glorifying violence in textbooks.
U.S. officials said Palestinian leaders violated the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989, the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA) and the Security Council Resolution 242 and 338.
“The United States is imposing sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA,” a Thursday statement from the department read.
“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,” it added.
The move comes after France and the United Kingdom announced they would recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. Canada is expected to follow suit.
