US hits Palestine officials with visa bans amid growing statehood recognition

WASHINGTON — The State Department on Thursday announced sanctions that deny visas to members of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization, accusing the groups of obstructing peace efforts with Israel. 

“It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace,” the department said in its announcement.

The PLO is the internationally…