The US state department announced visa sanctions against officials of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and the Palestinian Authority (PA), ‘continuing to support terrorism and not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace”.In a statement released Thursday, the state department said, “The United States is imposing sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).”The department reported to Congress that both the PLO and PA are not in compliance with their commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and MEPCA. It cited several violations, including supporting actions at international organizations that go against prior commitments to United Nations security council resolutions 242 and 338, and internationalising the conflict with Israel through bodies such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ).Other cited violations include “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 state department said, “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 move comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Israel continues its nearly 22-month-long war in Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, as quoted by ANI, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, with many more at risk of death due to hunger caused by Israel’s blockade of the territory.Since the war began on October 7, 2023, violence and illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have also surged. Nearly 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in the West Bank, in incidents involving both settlers and Israeli armed forces.
