The U.S. President, Joe Biden, has given the green light to impose sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of assaulting Palestinians in the West Bank under Israeli control. On Thursday, Biden signed an executive order authorizing these sanctions, contending that the level of violence in the West Bank had reached “intolerable” heights. These sanctions will bar the identified individuals from accessing any U.S. properties and assets and the American financial system.
The escalation of violence in the West Bank follows the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. These sanctions represent a noteworthy shift in U.S. policy, which had previously refrained from penalizing Israeli citizens. The executive order lays the foundation for how the U.S. will respond to potential attacks in the West Bank, going beyond the visa restrictions imposed by Washington on several Israelis last year.
As reported by the Arab American Institute, an organization advocating for Arab Americans, support for the Democratic Party among Arab Americans has dwindled from 59% in 2020 to the current 17%. This decline is attributed to the current president’s endorsement of Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a response to Hamas attacks, potentially impacting his popularity among Arab voters and his reelection prospects in the November elections.
A senior U.S. government official emphasized on Thursday that the president has consistently conveyed concerns to Israel regarding settler violence against Palestinians. In the executive order, Biden stated, “The situation in the West Bank, particularly the heightened levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement of people and villages, and property destruction, has reached untenable levels and poses a significant threat to peace, security, and stability.”
Shortly after the announcement, Israel expressed dissatisfaction, characterizing the majority of West Bank settlers as “law-abiding.” A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted, “Israel takes action against all offenders everywhere, and therefore, there is no need for unusual measures on this matter.” This response underscores another indication of the increasing public discord between the United States and Israel. Despite their longstanding alliance, recent disagreements have emerged over the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state. While the U.S. advocates for a “two-state solution” with a Palestinian state alongside Israel, Netanyahu has consistently rejected this proposal. The White House acknowledged last month that the U.S. and Israeli governments “clearly see things differently,” dimming hopes that the conflict in Gaza could spur Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume diplomatic efforts and embark on a new peace process.
