Newscasts - U.S. sanctions Palestinian Authority in growing diplomatic rift
31/07/2025 20:14
Click the following link to watch video: https://share.newscasts.refinitiv.com/link?entryId=1_9et9lxp5&referenceId=tag:reuters.com,2025:newsml_RW411531072025RP1_K15&pageId=Newscasts Source: 'Reuters - General news videos' Description: The United States imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials on Thursday (July 31) just as other nations are stressing the importance of the PA in governing Gaza in the event of an end to the devastating war in the enclave. Zachary Goelman produced this report. Short Link: https://refini.tv/4mpmY17 Video Transcript: The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, accusing the groups of undermining peace efforts. Representatives for the PA and the PLO could not immediately be reached for comment. The US move highlights a widening diplomatic divide as other nations push for a resolution to the war in Gaza that would empower the Palestinian Authority. The Kingdom's position has always been that the Palestinian Authority are the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Earlier this week Saudi Arabia and France called on countries at the United Nations to support a declaration aimed at implementing a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. Here's Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud. I would hope that we will all work to reinforce the Palestinian Authority and its capacity and capability. Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating current ceasefire efforts backed the declaration. The declaration also included condemnation by Arab states of the Hamas Islamist militant group that had governed Gaza and whose fighters led the surprise October 2023 attack that prompted Israel to launch its devastating military campaign. Israel faces growing world pressure over the war in Gaza, and several Western powers, including France, Britain, and Canada, have said they will or may recognize a Palestinian state. This intention is predicated on the Palestinian Authority's commitment to much-needed reforms. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday echoed earlier language from British leader Keir Starmer. Our message to the terrorists of Hamas is unchanged but unequivocal. That Hamas could play no role in an independent Palestine. Israel and the United States, Israel's closest ally, have rejected moves to recognize Palestinian statehood or support a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the PA will play no role in governing Gaza when fighting concludes. And we will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. The Palestinian Authority was established in the 1990s as part of what is known as the Oslo Accords, which granted the PA limited governance in certain areas of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. Hamas is a rival to the Palestinian Authority and seized control of Gaza in 2007. The US sanctions come as Washington's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday in a bid to revive Gaza ceasefire talks and tackle a humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.