The US State Department announced the first round of sanctions under a new executive order targeting perpetrators of violence in the West Bank on Thursday.
The new sanctions – which block their financial assets and prevent them from coming to the United States – target four Israeli citizens.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that “Israel must do more to stop the violence against civilians in the West Bank and hold those responsible accountable.”
Here are some additional details:
Who is it targeting: The State Department said the executive order focuses on four individuals accused of directly committing acts of violence or intimidation in the West Bank. this Includes persons accused of initiating and leading a riot; Setting fire to buildings, fields and vehicles; Attacks on civilians; And property damage. The four individuals named are David Hai Chasdai, Ainan Tangel, Shalom Zitterman, and Yinon Levy.
What the request will do: The order will prohibit individuals’ property and financial transactions in the United States and prevent Americans from financing or contributing money to them. One official said the order was directed toward foreign nationals rather than US citizens, although some dual nationals have been accused of involvement in the violence.
Why this matters: President Joe Biden has faced backlash from key parts of his political coalition over his support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza. While the order is not expected to address the situation in Gaza, it would represent one of the most significant actions he has taken to criticize Israel since the war began, and could be a signal from Biden toward Muslim and Arab-American voters who are critical of Israel. Dissatisfied with his refusal to call for a ceasefire.
He remembersNearly 500,000 Jewish settlers now live in the West Bank, encroaching on land that the Palestinians, and the international community, consider to be the territory of a future Palestinian state. Although the areas surrounding these settlements have always been vulnerable to violence, the situation has worsened in recent months.
Watch a CNN’s investigation into settler violence in the West Bank is here.
