Lawmakers Call for Sanctioning Two Israeli Officials for West Bank Unrest

More than 80 House and Senate Democrats urged the Biden administration to sanction two Israeli officials -- Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir -- for spurring destabilizing activity in the West Bank, including settler violence against Palestinians and “illegal and dangerous” settlement expansion.

In an Oct. 29 letter to President Joe Biden that was publicly released Nov. 14, the lawmakers also encouraged the administration to consider sanctioning pro-settler groups Amana and Regavim. The letter says Amana has played a key role in establishing the majority of West Bank settlements and that Regavim’s mission is to obstruct Palestinian construction in the West Bank.

The letter was signed by 15 senators and 69 House members. It was led by Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., and Sean Casten, D-Ill., and Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

The administration has announced several rounds of West Bank sanctions this year, including against two Israelis in October (see 2410020013).