Sponsors (21)
The bill preserves limited UN observer engagement for the PLO and clarifies U.S. policy, but it narrows U.S. diplomatic flexibility and may constrain UN program participation or aid options for Palestinians.
Palestinians (through the PLO) can continue diplomatic and humanitarian engagement at the UN as observer(s) without being elevated to full state-equivalent membership, preserving channels for diplomacy and aid.
U.S. policy toward PLO participation in multilateral fora is clarified, reducing ambiguity for U.S. diplomats and UN agencies about permissible PLO roles.
Narrower statutory language reduces U.S. diplomatic flexibility and tools in negotiations or recognition decisions, potentially complicating diplomacy and limiting options for U.S. foreign policy.
The statute may prevent foreign governments or international organizations from receiving statuses or privileges beyond observer status, limiting U.S. ability to grant or adjust multilateral statuses that can be used as diplomatic or security tools.
Limiting PLO enhanced participation in UN agencies could reduce Palestinian access to programs, constrain UN agencies' flexibility to expand services, and lessen Palestinian influence over program decisions.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Prohibits conferring the PLO any status, rights, or privileges in U.N. agencies beyond observer status and excludes Taiwan from the Act's scope.
Introduced May 6, 2025 by James Risch · Last progress May 6, 2025
Prohibits the United States from supporting any recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization in U.N. agencies beyond observer status by amending existing statutory language to bar conferring "any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status." The changes are textual substitutions in two prior foreign relations statutes and do not create new funding, deadlines, or administrative programs. The Act explicitly states it does not apply to Taiwan.