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US extends visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority, PLO Officials

Washington, Sept 17 (UNI) The United States on Thursday extended visa sanctions against members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA), accusing them of failing to meet commitments made to Washington and of pursuing actions that undermine prospects for peace.
The US State Department said it had notified Congress that the PLO and PA had “once again” failed to comply with commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).
Washington cited actions at international organisations that undermine previous commitments supporting UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
The State Department also accused the PA and PLO of seeking to “internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” through legal action at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), pursuing unilateral recognition instead of negotiations, and continuing to pay stipends to people convicted of terrorism and glorifying terrorism in public statements and school textbooks.
“As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials,” the State Department said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The measures are being imposed under Section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Commitments Act.
The department said it would maintain a standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations, as was the case with previous US determinations.
The latest decision comes ahead of the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York. US officials have separately confirmed that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is among those affected by the visa restrictions, meaning he will not attend the gathering in person for a second consecutive year.
The State Department said the measures were intended to impose consequences on the PLO and PA and hold them accountable for what Washington described as the “glorifying” of terrorism.
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