A new executive action under consideration by the U.S. presidency could expand sanctions related to violence in the West Bank
The president of the United States is preparing to sign an executive order on Thursday that would impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violent actions against Palestinians. Reports from Politico and Axios, citing anonymous government sources, indicate this order would be unprecedented and could extend to punishments aimed at political figures in Israel and senior government officials connected to the violence. The move is framed as a response to ongoing incidents in the region.
Current details, as described by those outlets, show that the order would target four settlers directly linked to attacks and coercive activities aimed at displacing communities. The measure would freeze their assets and bank accounts within the United States, prohibiting transfers or financial transactions through U.S. financial institutions.
Additionally, the document reportedly broadens the potential scope of sanctions to include leaders or government officials who are directly or indirectly involved in the violence. Although initial drafts reportedly included ultra-nationalist ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, these individuals are not yet on the sanctions list. The administration has indicated that they could be added in a subsequent iteration if warranted by further acts of violence or threats against Palestinian civilians.
The contemplated framework would also pave the way for future actions against other individuals who engage in violent acts, intimidate Palestinian residents by forcing them from their homes, or seize or destroy property. It would also target those who finance, assist, or support settlers in such illegal activities.
A problem that’s getting worse
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) data show a troubling rise in violence since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza. OCHA reports that nearly 500 attacks by settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank have occurred, with about half attributed to direct participation by Israeli security forces. The latest figures indicate that eight Palestinians have been killed, including a child, and more than 115 injured in incidents linked to settlers, contributing to a broader toll of around 370 dead and 4,400 injured overall in these West Bank incidents.
Settler violence in the West Bank has long been a topic of discussion at the highest levels of the U.S. government. While discussions typically centered on rhetoric or calls for intervention, the current wave of attacks has led to more direct engagement. Public remarks and private diplomacy between U.S. and Israeli leaders have intensified recently. Reports from Axios and Politico suggest that the Biden administration communicated the potential measures to Israeli officials during high-level visits, with White House officials informing close Netanyahu allies in Washington of the details. These developments come amid calls within the United States for a firmer stance on the violence and its geopolitical implications.
In parallel, prior sanctions have already been imposed on Hamas leaders and other officials as part of a broader U.S. effort to restrain violence in the region. Observers note that this sequence marks a significant step in the domestic political pressure faced by the administration, as it balances long-standing support for Israel with concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian crises in Gaza and the West Bank.
Pending the Thursday decision, broad support and opposition alike appear within the American political landscape. The administration faces a delicate task: to deter violent actions while maintaining strategic alignments with regional allies. The debate touches on the political and humanitarian dimensions of the conflict, including debates about the balance between security and civil rights in a volatile region.
The White House’s approach to these sanctions underlines a belief that settler violence threatens not only local stability but also U.S. foreign policy objectives, including the pursuit of a two-state solution. Officials argue that reducing violence and enforcing accountability could help create an environment more conducive to diplomacy, humanitarian access, and lasting peace prospects in the region.
As the debate unfolds, the administration continues to monitor the situation closely. The focus remains on preventing violence, protecting civilians, and reinforcing international norms that condemn attacks on noncombatants. The stakes are high, with the potential to influence regional security dynamics, U.S.-Israel relations, and the broader hopes for a sustainable resolution to the conflict.