U.S. Slaps Visa Bans on Palestinian Officials
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), citing serious breaches of longstanding peace agreements and continued support for terrorism.
In a statement released Thursday, the U.S. Department of State said the move was aimed at holding the PA and PLO accountable for actions that undermine peace in the Middle East.
“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 State Department said in a press release.
According to the department, the decision follows a report submitted to Congress which found both the PA and PLO in violation of the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002.
The report alleges that the Palestinian leadership has repeatedly attempted to “internationalize its conflict with Israel” through legal and diplomatic avenues, including filing cases and petitions at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Additionally, the U.S. accused the PA and PLO of “continuing to support terrorism including incitement and glorification of violence,” as well as “providing payments and benefits in support of terrorism to Palestinian terrorists and their families.”
The new sanctions are expected to escalate tensions between Washington and the Palestinian leadership, who have increasingly turned to international institutions to pursue recognition and accountability in their conflict with Israel.
While the statement did not provide names or numbers of individuals affected by the visa bans, the move signals a shift toward tougher enforcement of U.S. laws tied to peace process commitments.
The Trump administration has reiterated its support for a negotiated two-state solution but insists that both parties must demonstrate good faith and compliance with prior agreements to keep the diplomatic pathway viable
