US President Joe Biden has taken a significant step by approving sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. This move comes as violence in the region has reached “intolerable levels,” according to Biden. The executive order signed by the President blocks these individuals from accessing US property, assets, and the American financial system.
The situation in the West Bank has escalated since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7th. The UN reports that 370 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since then, with the majority of those deaths attributed to Israeli forces. However, at least eight Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers, prompting the need for action.
This executive order marks a rare step by the US administration, targeting Israelis involved in violence against Palestinians. It also comes as Biden travels to Michigan, a state with a significant Arab-American population critical of his support for Israel. The Arab American Institute has noted a sharp decline in support for the Democratic Party among Arab Americans since the conflict began.
A senior official in the Biden administration revealed that the President has repeatedly expressed concerns about violence by settlers to Israel. The executive order establishes a framework for how the US will respond to further attacks in the West Bank and represents an escalation compared to previous visa restrictions imposed on individuals last year.
In a letter to Congress explaining his reasoning, Biden stated that the situation in the West Bank, including extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction, poses a serious threat to peace, security, and stability in the region.
The initial round of sanctions targets four individuals directly involved in violence, intimidation, property destruction, and forced displacement of Palestinian communities. One person is accused of leading a riot that resulted in the death of a Palestinian civilian, while another attacked people with stones and clubs.
The executive order applies to both Israelis and Palestinians engaged in violent acts or threats against civilians, property destruction, intimidation, or terrorism. The four sanctioned Israelis have been named as David Chai Chasdai, Yinon Levi, Einan Tanjil, and Shalom Zicherman. Three of them reside in West Bank settlements, with one living near the occupied region’s border.
It is important to note that these US sanctions do not apply to American citizens involved in the violence. The US State Department expects Israel to take further action to hold accountable those responsible for settler violence.
Israel has expressed its dissatisfaction with the sanctions, describing the majority of West Bank settlers as “law-abiding.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that Israel takes action against all law-breakers and sees no need for unusual measures on this issue.
This latest development highlights a growing divide between the US and Israel. While the two countries have been long-term allies, recent disagreements over the creation of an independent Palestinian state have strained their relationship. The US believes that a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state alongside Israel, is crucial for long-term stability in the region. However, Netanyahu has consistently rejected this idea.
The differing views between the US and Israel have dampened hopes for diplomatic negotiations and reviving the peace process between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
In conclusion, President Joe Biden’s approval of sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians marks a significant step by the US administration. The executive order aims to address the escalating violence in the West Bank and holds individuals accountable for their actions. This move has strained relations between the US and Israel, highlighting their differing views on the two-state solution and the path to peace in the region.
