Biden to sign unprecedented executive order imposing sanctions on Israeli settlers attacking Palestinians in the West Bank

Currently, according to reports in the above-mentioned media, the order includes: four settlers were directly involved inside attacks systematic actions that force and substitution communities. Their assets and bank accounts in the US will be frozen and no one will be able to transfer funds to them or transact with them through the US financial system.

It also expands the possibility of imposing sanctions on leaders or government officials directly or indirectly involved in the attacks. According to the published information, it was initially planned to include ultra-nationalist ministers in the sanctions list. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, but they are excluded from the sanctions for now.

The decision would also allow subsequent sanctions to be imposed on more individuals who engage in acts or threats of violence or terrorism against Palestinian civilians, intimidate these civilians by forcing them to leave their homes, or seize or destroy property. Individuals who finance, assist or support settlers in cases of violence may also be sanctioned.

A problem that’s getting worse

According to this UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 and Israel began its aggressive military intervention in Gaza, Nearly 500 attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by settlers (half of these were attended or assisted by the Israeli Army). OCHA’s latest data from Wednesday says at least this: eight people were killedincluding a child and More than 115 injured in the hands of settlers (a total of 370 dead, 94 of them are children, almost 4,400 injured).

This settler violence on the West Bank has always been the subject of reporting by Biden and his Administration, but normally only rhetorical criticism or requests for intervention To the Government of Israel. After the attacks intensified since October 7, the Democrat addressed the issue directly with the Israeli Prime Minister, both publicly and privately. Benjamin Netanyahu. This Thursday morning, according to Axios, his government notified Israel of the measure, and senior White House officials told close Netanyahu ally Ron Dermer about the details during their visit to Washington on Wednesday, according to Politico. gave information. .

Subsequently, sanctions were imposed on the settlers Five rounds of sanctions on Hamas leaders and officials, this is a Important step from Bidenincreasingly low More domestic pressure within the US For continuing its unwavering support for Israel’s aggressive military action in Gaza More than 25,000 dead and released humanitarian crisis.

This Thursday, the president will go on a trip MichiganA. hinge status will be decisive in the presidential elections and The Arab-American community is angry and outraged With Biden’s position.

Already November Biden instructed the Secretaries of State and Treasury to prepare possible sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank. Weeks later, Anthony Blinken, The head of diplomacy imposed a visa ban on several dozen settlers.

The Biden administration argues that settler violence not only poses a threat to security in the West Bank and across the region, but also undermines U.S. foreign policy objectives in particular Trust the two-state solution.