State Department Sanctions Palestinian Authority As European Countries Push For ‘Palestinian’ State

The State Department on Thursday unveiled sanctions on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization as major American allies announced plans to recognize a state of “Palestine” in the coming months.

“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 announcement read.

The announcement cited the two groups’ noncompliance with legislation aimed at developing a concrete plan towards peace and away from terrorism.

The State Department also said the groups violated agreements through attempts to “internationalize its conflict with Israel” by petitioning the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

Most notably, the State Department found that the two groups continued to support terrorism by the “incitement and glorification of violence,” as well as providing money to terrorists and their families.

This move may complicate further votes in the UN General Assembly by restricting the ability of officials with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organization from obtaining visas to travel to New York to attend the assembly, where many Western powers announced they plan on recognizing Palestinian sovereignty in September.

French President Emmanuel Macron explained his rationale behind recognizing a state of Palestine, saying it was “essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East.”

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce responded to Macron, saying, “As Secretary Rubio has made clear, this effort is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th and a reward for terrorism. It keeps hostages trapped in tunnels.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney put out a statement Thursday concurring with the other countries that plan to recognize an independent Palestinian state in September. So far, a majority of the G20 countries have announced recognition or plan to come in September.

“We reiterate that Hamas must immediately release all hostages taken in the horrific terrorist attack of October 7,” Carney said in the statement. “That that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine.”

“Canada will always steadfastly support Israel’s existence as an independent state in the Middle East living in peace and security,” he added. “Any path to lasting peace for Israel also requires a viable and stable Palestinian state, and one that recognizes Israel’s inalienable right to security and peace.”

President Donald Trump has continued to denounce calls for recognition of a Palestinian state, pointing out that doing so.

“Well, you could make the case that you’re rewarding people, that you’re rewarding Hamas if you do that,” Trump said. “And I don’t think they should be rewarded. So I’m not in that camp, to be honest. We’ll let you know where we are, but I am not in that camp, because if you do that, you really are rewarding Hamas, and I’m not about to do that.”

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff “will be traveling into Gaza to inspect the current distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food and meet with local Gazans to hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a Thursday media briefing.