The United States has accused Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas of failing to honour promises made by the Palestinian Authority, saying that is why Washington will keep its sanctions on the PA and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Speaking at the UN Security Council on Monday, US deputy ambassador to the UN, Jennifer Locetta said Abbas had not followed through on the PA’s commitment to end its “financial and ideological support for terrorism.” She said the failure was the reason the United States continues to maintain sanctions on both the PA and the PLO.

Her remarks come days after Abbas addressed the 81st UN General Assembly, where he rejected the American decision to deny him permission to attend and dismissed the accusations and justifications on which it was based.

Washington announced earlier this month that it would extend visa sanctions on PLO members and PA officials. The State Department told Congress that the two bodies had once again failed to meet commitments required under American law, citing efforts at international organisations, moves to take the Israeli Palestinian conflict to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and attempts to secure unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood. It also cited the continued payment of stipends to people convicted of attacks and the glorification of such acts in public statements and school textbooks.

Locetta had earlier told the Council in August that President Donald Trump’s 20 point plan to end the Gaza conflict requires the PA to verifiably complete a series of reforms.

Photo Credit: Getty Images