The United States has escalated tensions in the Middle East by imposing sanctions on several Palestinian rights groups and officials who supported an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes. The move underscores Washington’s deepening opposition to international legal action targeting Israel while further straining U.S.–Palestinian relations.
According to the State Department, the sanctions target three prominent organizations—Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights—which provided evidence to the ICC that contributed to arrest warrants against Israeli leaders. U.S. officials dismissed the ICC’s jurisdiction, calling its actions “politically motivated.”
In addition to sanctions on organizations, visas for more than 80 Palestinian officials were revoked, including those of President Mahmoud Abbas and senior representatives. The decision effectively bars them from attending major diplomatic events, such as the upcoming UN General Assembly, and reflects Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s tougher line on Palestinian diplomacy.
This latest move follows an earlier executive order by President Trump that authorized sanctions against individuals and groups backing ICC investigations involving U.S. allies. Rubio has since extended those measures to UN officials and even ICC judges, signaling the administration’s determination to undermine international legal challenges to Israel.
Critics argue the sanctions could cripple civil society organizations already struggling under occupation and block legitimate channels of accountability for Palestinian civilians affected by military operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Supporters, however, say the measures defend Israel against what they view as biased international institutions.
As Washington doubles down on its alignment with Israel, the path toward accountability and peace appears increasingly uncertain. For Palestinian advocacy groups, the sanctions represent not just a financial squeeze but a chilling message to any actor seeking justice through international law.
