U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Three Palestinian Human Rights Organizations

Staff Reporter | PNN

The United States has imposed sanctions on three Palestinian human rights organizations—Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan), and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR). These organizations had requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and arrest Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes. The U.S. has penalized them, accusing the groups of unlawfully targeting Israel.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these organizations directly participated in efforts through the ICC to file cases, conduct investigations, and seek arrests of Israeli citizens, which, according to the U.S., was done without Israel’s consent.

The organizations have condemned the sanctions as “unethical, illegal, and undemocratic,” stating that the measures hinder justice for victims of Israel’s alleged genocide and crimes against humanity.

In November 2023, the three organizations filed a case with the ICC, alleging that Israel carried out airstrikes in densely populated areas, imposed blockades, forcibly displaced populations, used toxic gases, and obstructed access to food and water. Subsequently, in November 2024, the ICC issued arrest and investigation orders against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

International human rights organization Amnesty International described the U.S. decision as “an attack on human rights and a hindrance to the progress of international justice.” The organization’s Senior Director, Erika Guevara-Rosas, stated, “These organizations are collecting evidence of human rights violations and courageously seeking justice even in extremely dangerous situations. The U.S. action is intended to weaken the framework of international justice.”