In a move that has sparked outrage across human rights circles, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Thursday against three leading Palestinian organizations known for documenting Israeli violations and pushing for international accountability.
The targeted groups—Al-Haq Palestinian non-governmental human rights organization based in the city of Ramallah, along with the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza—have spent decades gathering evidence of war crimes, advocating for victims, and submitting legal files to international bodies including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Their work has been instrumental in building genocide cases and pressing for investigations into Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
The sanctions, quietly posted on the Treasury’s website, accuse the organizations of undermining U.S. foreign policy interests, essentially for doing the very work international law demands: documenting atrocities and seeking justice.
These measures come at a time when global pressure is mounting to hold Israel accountable for its military campaign in Gaza, which has left tens of thousands dead, displaced entire communities, and decimated civilian infrastructure.
Rights advocates say the timing is no coincidence. As calls grow louder for war crimes investigations and genocide proceedings, Washington appears to be doubling down on shielding its ally from scrutiny—even if that means punishing those who speak for the victims.
Al-Haq, PCHR, and Al Mezan issued a joint statement condemning the sanctions as politically motivated and legally baseless. “This is not just an attack on our organizations,” they wrote, “it’s an attack on the principle of justice itself.”
The three organizations declared in their joint response, “Only states with complete disregard to international law and our shared humanity can take such heinous measures against human rights orgs working to end a genocide”—a statement that underscores the gravity of the U.S. decision and its implications for global justice.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from international legal experts, who warn that targeting rights defenders for cooperating with the ICC sets a dangerous precedent.
It sends a chilling message to civil society groups worldwide: that documenting war crimes and advocating for accountability may come at a cost.
For Palestinians, the sanctions are proof that even the pursuit of justice is treated as a threat when it challenges entrenched power. And for the broader human rights community, it’s a stark reminder of the double standards that continue to undermine international law.
