U.S. to Impose Sanctions on Palestinian Officials Over Terror Support, ICC Actions

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The Trump administration announced Thursday it will impose sanctions on multiple officials from the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) over what it described as continued support for terrorism and efforts to undermine Israel through international legal channels.

The U.S. State Department issued a formal notice to Congress stating that both the PLO and the PA are in violation of key commitments made to the United States, citing noncompliance with the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).

The violations include what officials described as persistent incitement and glorification of terrorism–particularly in Palestinian textbooks–and the controversial “pay-to-slay” policy, under which the PA provides financial stipends to terrorists and the families of those imprisoned or killed for attacks against Israelis.

In addition to what the administration called “support for terrorism,” the PLO and PA have been accused of “internationalizing” the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by petitioning international bodies like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ)–actions that the U.S. says contradict their obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, both of which call for direct negotiations as the path to peace.

“These steps undermine the very foundation of the peace process,” a senior State Department official said. “It is in our national security interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable.”

As part of the sanctions, the United States will deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with Section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA. The administration did not specify the number of officials affected or provide names, but the move is expected to impact top-ranking diplomatic and political personnel within the Palestinian leadership.

The announcement reflects a broader strategy by President Trump to shift the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, prioritizing security and bilateral commitments over what he has called “one-sided international campaigns” against Israel.

The move is likely to draw sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders, who have increasingly turned to international courts after accusing Israel of war crimes and ongoing occupation. However, U.S. officials maintain that such tactics are in direct violation of previous peace agreements and obstruct meaningful dialogue.

This latest action marks a significant escalation in U.S. policy toward the Palestinian leadership, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to backing Israel while demanding accountability from entities it deems hostile to peace.

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