President Biden Imposes Sanctions on West Bank Settlers for Violence Against Palestinians
In a significant move, President Biden has signed an executive order imposing sanctions on four West Bank settlers who have been involved in violence against Palestinians. This action marks the most significant step taken by the Biden administration against Israelis since the country launched a war in Gaza. The executive order mirrors sanctions imposed on individuals designated as terrorists and will block the settlers from accessing any property or assets held in the United States. They will also be prevented from receiving any funds, goods, or services that pass through the American financial system.
The State Department has identified the individuals who have been sanctioned and provided details of their violent actions. David Chai Chasdai led a riot that resulted in the death of a Palestinian civilian, Einan Tanjil attacked Palestinian farmers and Israeli peace activists, Shalom Zicherman assaulted Israeli activists, and Yinon Levi created an atmosphere of fear in the West Bank by threatening Palestinian and Bedouin civilians with violence. These individuals have been responsible for unacceptable acts of violence in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory that is home to numerous controversial and illegal Israeli settlements.
The timing of these sanctions is significant as President Biden was visiting Michigan, which is home to one of the largest Muslim and Arab American communities in the United States. The president was expected to face protesters angry about his unwavering support for Israel and its military campaign in Gaza. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has argued that the executive order is unnecessary, stating that the majority of settlers are law-abiding citizens.
The United States has long considered Israel’s West Bank settlements to be illegal under international law. However, this position was changed by the Trump administration in 2019. Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens are estimated to live in West Bank settlements, and Senator Ben Cardin has called for legal action to be taken against U.S. citizens involved in settler violence.
The sanctions announced by President Biden are a direct response to the increase in settler violence that has been observed since October 7. The president has raised this issue in almost every call with Netanyahu, highlighting the importance of addressing the violence. Jewish settlers have been attacking and killing Palestinians in an attempt to drive them out of their communities. These attacks undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States, including the viability of a two-state solution, and pose a threat to national security and foreign policy.
The executive order comes at a time when tensions have escalated across the Middle East since Hamas militants attacked Israel’s border fence with Gaza. The Israeli military campaign against Hamas has resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians and has been widely condemned internationally. The Biden administration has been concerned that this situation could escalate into another front in the Israel-Gaza war.
The sanctions imposed on the West Bank settlers demonstrate President Biden’s commitment to addressing the violence and promoting a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By taking this significant action, the administration sends a strong message against extreme activities taken by some settlers in the West Bank. It remains to be seen how these sanctions will impact the situation on the ground and whether they will contribute to a reduction in violence.