State Department denies visas for Palestinian Authority amid statehood push

The State Department on Thursday sanctioned the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) over allegations that it continues to support "terrorism," and denied visas to the U.S. for its members.

The action comes as some of the U.S.'s strongest allies are attempting to recognize a Palestinian state as part of a so-called two-state solution, Israel and Palestine. The recognition is expected to occur at the United Nations' General Assembly in New York City in September, but it is not clear if Palestinian officials can now attend the session.

The State Department claimed that both organizations are not in "compliance with their commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002."

The Palestinian Authority is the government body that controls portions of the West Bank and other Palestinian regions.

The department claimed some of the issues include "taking actions to internationalize its conflict with Israel, such as through the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, continuing to support terrorism, including incitement and glorification of violence (especially in textbooks), and providing payments and benefits in support of terrorism to Palestinian terrorists and their families."

"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the department said.

The move also comes the same day President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is in Israel to inspect the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.