U.S. Slaps Sanctions on Palestinian Officials for Backing Terror
Washington responds to PA violations of peace commitments and incitement efforts amid escalating international pressure on Israel
Twitter
The United States Department of State announced Thursday that it has imposed sanctions on officials from the Palestinian Authority and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization. The move comes as U.S. representatives arrived in Israel to participate in ongoing cease-fire discussions aimed at ending the Hamas-led conflict in Gaza.
According to a State Department spokesperson, the sanctions are part of a broader strategy to hold Palestinian leadership accountable for failing to meet their obligations under American law and for undermining peace.
“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 spokesperson said.
The department cited the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 as the legal basis for the decision. It accused the Palestinian Authority and the PLO of escalating the conflict by attempting to internationalize it through hostile action at forums like the International Criminal Court.
The statement further accused both groups of “continuing to support terrorism,” including public incitement, glorification of violence, and direct financial support to terrorists and their families, a policy often referred to as “pay for slay.” These practices have long been criticized by Israeli and U.S. officials as a core barrier to meaningful peace negotiations.
The announcement coincided with the arrival of U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in Israel, who is seeking to push forward cease-fire talks and help address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which remains under Hamas rule. The international community, led by several European countries, has ramped up pressure on Israel, with Canada, the United Kingdom, and France all recently announcing their intention to recognize a Palestinian state.
President Donald Trump responded to these developments in a post on Truth Social, writing: “The fastest way to end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is for Hamas to surrender and release the hostages.”
Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the war in Gaza is a direct result of Hamas aggression, pointing to the group’s mass hostage-taking and terror attacks in October 2023.
During a visit to Scotland this week, the president was visibly affected by footage from Gaza, particularly images of children. He told reporters that the U.S. would begin establishing food aid centers in the region, but stressed that the ultimate cause of the crisis was Hamas’s continued refusal to lay down arms.
Meanwhile, the State Department also confirmed earlier this month that it had sanctioned United Nations official Francesca Albanese, the special rapporteur on human rights in Palestinian territories, for promoting action at the ICC against both the United States and Israel.
“Albanese’s campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X.
Last year, the ICC issued highly controversial arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant - a move condemned by U.S. officials as one-sided and politically motivated. In response to Canada’s recent statement that it will recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September, Israel’s Foreign Ministry warned that such a step would only embolden Hamas and weaken the chances for genuine peace. President Trump echoed this concern, suggesting that Canada’s position could also complicate trade relations with the United States.