U.S. Extends Visa Sanctions on Palestinian Authority and PLO Officials
Washington cites failure to meet previous commitments and actions it says undermine prospects for peace
Washington, September 17, 2026: The United States has decided to extend visa sanctions against officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). In a statement issued on September 16, 2026, the U.S. State Department said it had reported to Congress that the PA and PLO had once again failed to meet commitments made under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA).
U.S. Concerns Over International Actions
According to the U.S. State Department, the PA and PLO have continued activities that Washington says are inconsistent with their previous commitments. The statement specifically cites actions at international organizations that the United States says undermine commitments related to UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.
The U.S. statement also cites efforts to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through institutions including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), attempts to seek unilateral recognition rather than pursue negotiations, alleged payments to terrorists, and what Washington describes as the glorification of terrorism and terrorists in public statements and school textbooks.
Visa Restrictions to Continue
As a consequence of what it describes as the failure to reform and continued activities that undermine prospects for peace, the United States said it will extend visa sanctions denying visas to PLO members and PA officials under Section 604(a)(1) of the Middle East Peace Commitments Act.
The State Department said it would maintain the standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations, as was done in previous determinations.
U.S. Position on the Peace Process
The U.S. State Department said it considers accountability for the PLO and PA necessary in response to activities that, in its assessment, undermine prospects for peace. The latest announcement reflects Washington’s stated position that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be addressed through commitments and negotiations rather than unilateral international actions.
By Suman Munshi, IBG NEWS
Source: U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, “Sanctioning Officials of the Palestinian Authority and Members of the Palestine Liberation Organization,” September 16, 2026.
