S4311-118

What This Bill Does

This bill restricts U.S. funding to the United Nations and its affiliated organizations if they grant the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) any status, rights, or privileges beyond "observer status." It amends existing foreign relations laws from 1990 and 1994 to tighten restrictions on how the PLO can be recognized by international bodies that receive American funding.

Who Benefits and How

U.S. Government foreign policy interests benefit by gaining additional leverage over UN organizations, as funding can be withheld if these organizations upgrade the PLO's status. Pro-Israel advocacy groups and Israeli interests benefit from U.S. policy that limits international recognition of Palestinian entities at the UN level.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The United Nations and its affiliated agencies face potential loss of U.S. funding contributions if they grant any enhanced status to the PLO beyond observer membership. This could affect their operating budgets and programs. Palestinian diplomatic interests are burdened as this creates U.S. pressure against their gaining additional recognition or participation rights in international forums.

Key Provisions

• Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (1990-1991) to restrict funding to UN agencies that give the PLO "any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status" (previously only restricted "same standing as member states")
• Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (1994-1995) to apply the same stricter standard, replacing "full membership" with the broader restriction
• Includes a rule of construction explicitly stating that these restrictions do not apply to Taiwan, preserving Taiwan's ability to participate in international organizations without triggering funding cuts
• The bill is titled the "No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2024"