As global support for Palestine grows, US slaps sanctions on Palestinian Authority and PLO

Amid growing international support for the recognition of a Palestinian state, the United States has imposed sanctions on officials from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, accusing them of obstructing peace efforts as ceasefire negotiations in Gaza remain stalled.

The sanctions, which include travel restrictions preventing the targeted individuals from obtaining US visas, were announced by the State Department, although no specific names were disclosed. Washington has argued that both the PA and PLO have failed to comply with previous commitments and have actively undermined efforts to establish peace, thereby prompting punitive action, Arab News reported.

According to the US administration, the Palestinian organisations have continued supporting terrorism and have taken steps to internationalise their conflict with Israel, including by engaging with international legal bodies such as the International Criminal Court. The announcement marks a significant escalation in US policy towards the Palestinian leadership at a time when global scrutiny of the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to intensify.

Representatives from the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organisation were not immediately available to respond to the move, which comes amid rising international concern over the war in Gaza. The sanctions coincided with the expected arrival of US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Israel, as Washington renews efforts to salvage the stalled ceasefire talks and press for humanitarian access to the besieged territory.

The decision by the United States comes as several Western nations indicate a readiness to formally recognise a Palestinian state, increasing pressure on both Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to engage more constructively in peace negotiations.