US Sanctions Against Palestinian Authority and OOP

• The US has imposed sanctions against Palestinian officials.
• The statement is related to the non-fulfillment of obligations by the Palestinian Authority.
• The conference at the UN discussed the recognition of the Palestinian state.

AFP

The US State Department announced sanctions that prohibit the issuance of visas on the territory of the country for officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Organization for the Liberation of Palestine (OOP). These measures, according to government representatives, are a response to actions that undermine peaceful prospects and obligations of these organizations.

Sanctions were announced following a conference that took place under the auspices of France and Saudi Arabia at the UN, where the issue of recognizing an independent Palestinian state was discussed. The State Department emphasized that the PA and OOP do not fulfill their obligations in accordance with US legislation, including the Law on the Obligations of the OOP of 1989.

The statement also noted that these organizations are seeking "to internationalize their conflict with Israel" through international courts. In addition, the US accused them of supporting terrorism, including in the recruitment of terrorists and their families.

These actions provoked a negative reaction among Palestinian politicians, who believe that the sanctions are a US pretext for the recognition of Palestinian statehood by other countries. In particular, one of the PA leaders noted that these steps are a response to the successes of Palestinian diplomacy.

Sanctions have become another sign of the isolation of the US, while many countries have criticized Washington's position regarding the war in Gaza. During the conference at the UN, the issue of strategic vacuum, which arises due to the absence of active US actions for achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict, was raised.

It is unclear whether new sanctions will be imposed on representatives of the PA who work at the UN, as their positions occupy US citizens.

Tags: USA/Middle East/Politics