U.S. sanctions on Palestinian Authority, demanding peaceful efforts to undermine – State
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Thursday against Palestinian authorities officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Group, saying the groups were undermining peace efforts as U.S. officials seek a ceasefire in Gaza respectively.
The U.S. State Department said the move prevented targeted people from receiving visas to the U.S., although it did not list any specific people.
“It is in our national security interests to impose consequences on our national security interests and to make PLOs and PAs not comply with their commitments and undermine the prospect of peace,” the department said in a statement.
The State Department said the two Palestinian groups “take action to internationalize the conflict with Israel”, including through the International Criminal Court, and said both continue to “support terrorism.”
Representatives of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization were unable to comment immediately.
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The sanctions are due to the arrival of the U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday to save the Gaza ceasefire negotiations and resolve the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
Israel faces world pressure in the Gaza war, with Western powers saying they will recognize a Palestinian state.
(Report by Susan Heaveny; Other reports by Michael Georgy; Editing by Katharine Jackson and Andrew Heavens)
