The United States has imposed sanctions on several Israeli settlers for their involvement in attacking Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. The move comes as President Joe Biden faces increasing pressure over his support for Israel’s war on Gaza. The individuals targeted by the sanctions include David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Yinon Levi, and Shalom Zickerman, who are accused of assaulting and intimidating Palestinians.
The sanctions will freeze the assets of these individuals in the US and restrict financial dealings with them. This announcement coincides with Biden’s visit to Michigan, a state with a significant Arab American population. The White House has also issued a new decree to penalize perpetrators of “extremist settler violence” in the West Bank.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized that settler violence poses a grave threat to peace, security, and stability in the region, and that it also threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the US move, stating that the majority of West Bank settlers are “law-abiding citizens.”
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have long criticized Israeli authorities for failing to hold settlers accountable for their attacks. There have been allegations that settlers often act with the support of the Israeli military. Israeli authorities rarely prosecute suspects in violence against Palestinians, further exacerbating tensions.
The Biden administration has been working to secure $14 billion in additional aid to the Israeli government, despite growing global calls for a ceasefire and mounting evidence of Israeli abuses. While the US government claims to be in discussions with Israel to minimize civilian casualties and allow more aid into Gaza, Biden has resisted using aid as leverage to pressure Israel to end rights violations against Palestinians.
Human rights advocates have called for more significant action, such as conditioning military aid and arms sales to Israel until it stops its actions against Palestinian civilians. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) have expressed disappointment with the sanctions, considering them to be insufficient. They argue that the Biden administration should also penalize Israeli officials responsible for settler violence and end US support for the war on Gaza.
In conclusion, the US sanctions on Israeli settlers for their attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank reflect the growing international pressure on President Biden’s support for Israel’s actions. While the move has been welcomed by some human rights advocates, others believe that stricter measures should be taken to ensure accountability and address the broader settlement movement. The situation remains complex, with the Biden administration balancing its support for Israel’s right to defend itself while facing criticism for not doing enough to protect Palestinian civilians.
