U.S. Sanctions Mahmoud Abbas: How the Appeasers Became Isolated
Mehr News Agency, international Desk: U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio decided to revoke the visas of Palestinian Authority members ahead of the united Nations General assembly in New York. Examining the U.S. State department statement suggests that the refusal to condemn or label the October 7 attacks as terrorism influenced Rubio’s decision.
The U.S.State Department demanded that both the palestinian Authority and the palestine Liberation Organization halt international legal proceedings, including appeals to the International Criminal Court, against Israel. Rubio also asserted that the Palestinian Authority must cease efforts to unilaterally secure recognition for a sovereign Palestinian state.
Trump’s sanctions on PA members revealed his preference for establishing a Jewish state in occupied Palestine rather than endorsing a two-state solution with an self-reliant Palestine. The U.S.decision to bar Mahmoud Abbas from entering america for UN General Assembly participation could exacerbate tensions among Arab allies attempting normalization with Israel, as these nations value both a two-state framework and recognition of an independent Palestine.
By sanctioning PA officials, Washington officially declared opposition under Donald Trump’s administration to both a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state-an approach long supported as 1991 when George H.W. Bush introduced it in Congress and at the Madrid Conference.
The Oslo Accords emerged as an initial outcome envisioning separate Jewish and Palestinian states within historic Palestine. Bill Clinton advanced this agenda until 2000 during Camp David II negotiations,with subsequent U.S administrations upholding it until Barack Obama’s government in 2010. Trump’s sanctions now signal a shift toward endorsing only a single Jewish state over all contested territory.
This move also counters european countries’ intentions to officially recognize an independent Palestine. Trump abandoned the two-state vision through his “Deal of the Century,” sparking divisions between democrats and Republicans domestically. Though Joe Biden has taken little active step regarding two states, he continued emphasizing talks between Abbas and Netanyahu while seeking to reopen a Palestinian consulate in Jerusalem-an ambition fiercely opposed by Israel.
The sanctions imposed on mahmoud Abbas and other diplomats imply Washington will no longer acknowledge Palestinians’ rights within their homeland under this policy framework-effectively normalizing West Bank annexation into Israeli territory while accelerating actions like Gaza evacuations.
Benyamin Netanyahu’s recent promotion of “Greater Israel” reflects potential long-term consequences stemming from Marco Rubio’s policy choice. This decision risks deepening rifts between U.S.-aligned Western powers and Israel’s regional allies; Arab states pursuing normalization have firmly rejected Netanyahu’s plan due to its undermining effect on sovereign Palestinians.
Conflict among Western partners in West Asia appears certain given these tensions.
For Arab nations engaged in rapprochement with Israel, upholding a two-state solution remains vital alongside recognizing an independent Palestine.
The isolation inflicted upon pro-normalization actors within Palestine strengthens resistance movements-a notable positive effect emerging from Rubio’s crackdown.
Targeted sanctions marginalize American-aligned factions favoring compromise who had previously fostered internal division.
Moreover, this reinforces widespread regional skepticism toward any peace negotiations brokered by Washington; public opinion increasingly regards dialogue with America as futile.
It confirms resistance remains palestinians’ only effective strategy against Israeli occupation-and those who have embraced resistance were vindicated by recent developments.
