• US sanctions on Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) deny visas to officials.
• Accusations include undermining peace efforts and supporting terrorism.
• The sanctions coincide with growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The U.S. government announced sanctions against the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on July 31, 2025, citing their role in undermining peace efforts with Israel. These sanctions will deny U.S. visas to officials involved, as the Trump administration rebuked the groups for actions that allegedly sought to "internationalize" their conflict through bodies like the International Criminal Court, while continuing to support terrorism through incitement and violence, including controversial education materials. The State Department labeled these actions as contrary to U.S. national security interests, indicating the need for accountability from the PA and PLO, according to Al Jazeera, BBC, South China Morning Post, Reuters, and India Times.

The sanctions come as notable tension arises between the U.S. and its G7 allies, particularly following commitments by Canada, France, and the United Kingdom to recognize Palestinian statehood during an upcoming UN General Assembly meeting. These countries have expressed intentions to support a two-state solution, increasing pressure on Israel amid the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The U.S., while opposing moves towards Palestinian recognition, has emphasized that such efforts could undesirably "reward" Hamas, complicating diplomatic relations further due to its staunch support for Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera, BBC, South China Morning Post, Reuters, and India Times.

Despite the sanctions, the Palestinian Authority has reacted, claiming these measures are an act of "revenge" by the U.S. for the recent advancements in international support for Palestine. Leaders such as Mustafa Barghouti have condemned the actions, arguing that the U.S. is misdirecting accountability by sanctioning the Palestinian leadership instead of addressing the actions of Israel in the ongoing conflict. This sentiment reflects a broader criticism that the U.S. is siding with perceived aggressors rather than supporting a fair resolution for Palestinians, as stated in reports from Al Jazeera, BBC, South China Morning Post, Reuters, and India Times.