US Sanctions on Israeli Settlers: Impact on West Bank Situation

Key Points

1. US President Joe Biden approves financial sanctions on Israelis linked to extremist settler violence in the West Bank.
2. The sanctions aim to cut off designated individuals from the American financial system, impacting their access to financial assistance from the US.
3. Washington's move reflects growing tensions with Israel over a two-state solution and concerns about settler violence exacerbating the conflict in the region.

US President Joe Biden has signed an executive order imposing financial sanctions on Israelis responsible for extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. This comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Israel regarding a two-state solution in the region.

The sanctions, authorized on Thursday, will sever designated individuals from the American financial system, including restricting their access to financial assistance from the US. This represents a broader crackdown on the conduct of settlers in the West Bank, going beyond the visa restrictions imposed last year. Notably, it marks a rare move by the US to target citizens of an allied country.

President Biden's decision is fueled by concerns in Washington that settler violence in the West Bank is escalating tensions amid the ongoing war in Gaza, further jeopardizing the prospects for a resolution to the conflict. The move also precedes Biden's visit to Michigan, where the Arab-American community has expressed opposition to his re-election due to his support for Israel's actions in Gaza.

Washington is frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, which has rejected the US vision for a diplomatic resolution involving the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

A senior Biden administration official emphasized that settler violence poses a significant threat to peace and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East region. The official stated that these actions obstruct the realization of an independent Palestinian state coexisting with Israel.

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While four individuals connected to violence in the West Bank already face sanctions, this move serves as a warning to all West Bank settlers against engaging in violence or seizing more land. Actions such as violence, threats, property destruction, and intimidation of civilians could all lead to US sanctions.

Financial sanctions, a potent economic tool, have been extensively used by the Biden administration, targeting entities like Russian oligarchs since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In this context, the new sanctions not only restrict West Bank settlers from traveling to the US but also block them from receiving funding from American citizens or permanent residents.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right settler, criticized the move, dismissing the "settler violence" campaign as an antisemitic lie. He claimed it aims to discredit settlers and harm the entire state of Israel.

Effectiveness of the financial sanctions will depend on enforcement by US authorities and the extent to which they can be circumvented. Israeli bankers expect compliance with US orders, but they believe the impact may be more political than economic.

Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Biden expressed his commitment to actively working for peace, security, and dignity for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. He highlighted ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and bring peace to Gaza and Israel.

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