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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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The United States has imposed visa sanctions on senior officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for violating long-standing peace commitments, citing actions that include support for terrorism, glorification of violence and efforts to internationalize the conflict with Israel through legal forums such as the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), per the State Department.
Newsweek contacted the mission that handles Palestinian affairs in Britain for comment.
Why It Matters
At a time that several Western countries, including Canada, Britain and France say they are preparing to recognize a Palestinian state, it underlines the fact that the United States rejects this position.
Read More on Politics
It undermines the Palestinian Authority at a time that those Western countries, along with some Arab states, are promoting it as a viable leadership for a Palestinian state when Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip ends. Israel currently rejects this position.
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What To Know
The visa sanctions follow a report to Congress that both the PA and PLO have violated their obligations under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002, according to the statement shared by the U.S. State Department. The sanctions are intended to hold Palestinian leadership accountable for actions that allegedly undermine peace efforts, including support for terrorism and legal campaigns against Israel at international courts.
The State Department cited non-compliance with two key legislative frameworks: PLOCCA (PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989) and MEPCA (Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002). These laws require Palestinian entities to uphold commitments made in support of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, which call for the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Officials pointed to efforts by the PA and PLO to bring cases against Israel before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The U.S. views these moves as attempts to internationalize the conflict and bypass direct negotiations.
The statement accuses the Palestinian leadership of continuing to support terrorism through financial incentives to convicted terrorists and their families, as well as promoting violence in educational materials. Under section 604(a)(1) of MEPCA, the U.S. is denying visas to implicated officials. This prevents travel to the United States and serves as a tangible consequence for non-compliance.
The State Department emphasized that the sanctions are in the national security interest of the United States. The move is framed as a necessary step to preserve the integrity of peace agreements and discourage further violations.
As of publication, the State Department has not released the names of sanctioned officials. It remains unclear how many individuals are affected or whether additional measures will follow.
Which Countries Have Recognized a Palestinian State?
As of mid-2025, 147 of the 193 United Nations member states officially recognize the State of Palestine, which holds non-member observer status at the U.N. That number is poised to rise as three major U.S. allies—France, the U.K. and Canada—have announced plans to possibly recognize Palestinian statehood formally. These declarations mark a significant shift in Western diplomatic posture and reflect mounting frustration over Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread humanitarian suffering since Hamas attacked Israel in October, 2023.
France's recognition will be unconditional, while Britain has tied its decision to Israel agreeing to a ceasefire with Hamas. Canada's move hinges on political reforms within the Palestinian Authority, including a commitment to democratic elections. These announcements follow similar recognitions last year by Spain, Ireland, and Norway, signaling a growing European consensus on Palestinian sovereignty.
Among NATO's 32 member states, 14 currently recognize Palestine, and the upcoming decisions by the U.K., France and Canada would increase that number. In the G20, 10 countries already extend recognition, with the trio's inclusion raising the total to 13. Notably, if the U.K. and France proceed, the United States will stand alone as the only permanent member of the U.N. Security Council that does not recognize a Palestinian state.
Will the U.S. Recognize Palestine as a State?
The U.S. has consistently opposed unilateral recognition, citing the need for direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian leadership. In 2024, it vetoed a Security Council resolution supporting Palestine's bid for full U.N. membership, despite 12 votes in favor and only one against—its own. The growing wave of recognition may intensify pressure on Washington to reconsider its stance as global support for Palestinian statehood continues to build.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. State Department, in a July 31 statement: "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."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar: "I thank @SecRubio and the US @StateDept for its moral clarity in sanctioning officials of the Palestinian Authority and members of the ״PLO". The PA must be held accountable for its ongoing policy of "Pay-for-Slay" for terrorists and their families and incitement against Israel in its schools, textbooks mosques and media. This important action by @POTUS and his administration also exposes the moral distortion of certain countries that ran to recognise a virtual Palestinian state while turning a blind eye to its support for terror and incitement."
What Happens Next
The sanctions are likely to trigger diplomatic responses from the Palestinian leadership and may prompt further scrutiny of U.S. policy in the region.
Updated on 08/01/2025 at 3:52 ET with Israeli response, request for comment from Palestinians, context
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