President Biden Takes Action Against Violent Israeli Settlers in the West Bank
In a move aimed at addressing the ongoing violence in the West Bank, President Joe Biden has issued an executive order targeting violent Israeli settlers. The order, which was first reported by Politico and is expected to be announced on Thursday, will impose sanctions on several individuals accused of participating in violent acts.
The executive order specifically targets four individuals who have been accused of directly perpetrating violence or intimidation in the West Bank. These individuals are David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Shalom Zicherman, and Yinon Levi. The order blocks their financial assets and bars them from entering the United States.
According to the State Department, Chasdai “initiated and led a riot, which involved setting vehicles and buildings on fire, assaulting Palestinian civilians, and causing damage to property in Huwara, which resulted in the death of a Palestinian civilian.” Tanjil, on the other hand, “was involved in assaulting Palestinian farmers and Israeli activists by attacking them with stones and clubs, resulting in injuries that required medical treatment.” Zicherman, according to video evidence, “assaulted Israeli activists and their vehicles in the West Bank, blocking them on the street, and attempted to break the windows of passing vehicles with activists inside.” Levi, meanwhile, “led a group of settlers who engaged in actions creating an atmosphere of fear in the West Bank.”
The decision to target these individuals comes after the Biden administration compiled evidence of their involvement in the violence. The evidence includes information from public reporting and is said to be strong enough to withstand judicial review. The White House also notified the Israeli government of their plans ahead of the order.
It is important to note that the executive order does not target Israeli government officials for sanctions. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby clarified that there are no plans to do so. President Biden has previously condemned acts of violence in the West Bank and has discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The order comes at a time when President Biden is facing backlash from parts of his political coalition for his support of Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. While the order does not address the situation in Gaza, it is seen as a significant action by Biden to critique Israel since the war began. It could also be seen as a signal to Muslim and Arab-American voters who have expressed their dissatisfaction with Biden’s refusal to call for a ceasefire.
This executive order builds on a policy announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in December. The policy aims to prevent extremist Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank from entering the United States. The State Department can apply this policy to both Israelis and Palestinians who have been responsible for attacks in the West Bank.
Settler violence against West Bank residents has long been a major issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The violence has escalated since the October 7 Hamas attack, with fears of revenge attacks on Palestinians. Dozens of Palestinians were killed in the weeks following the attack as settler violence intensified.
In response to the executive order, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement calling the sanctions unnecessary. The statement emphasized that Israel acts against all lawbreakers and that the majority of Israeli settlers in the West Bank are law-abiding citizens.
President Biden’s executive order targeting violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank is a significant step towards addressing the ongoing violence in the region. By imposing sanctions on individuals accused of perpetrating violence and intimidation, the Biden administration is sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated. While the order does not address the situation in Gaza, it serves as a notable critique of Israel’s actions and may help mend relations with Muslim and Arab-American voters who have expressed their concerns. As the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians continues, it remains to be seen how this executive order will impact the overall situation in the West Bank.
