President Joe Biden has issued an executive order aiming to address the actions of violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, alleging their contribution to instability in the region, according to a CNN report citing a US official and an informed source.
The directive, set to be officially announced on Thursday, will impose sanctions on four individuals accused of direct involvement in violent acts, including riot initiation, property destruction, and assaults on civilians.
The targeted individuals named in the executive order are David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Shalom Zicherman, and Yinon Levi.
The State Department revealed their identities, asserting that the order would freeze their financial assets and prohibit them from entering the United States.
The actions attributed to these individuals involved leading riots, assaulting farmers and activists, attacking vehicles, and creating an atmosphere of fear in the West Bank.
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The State Department claims to have compiled evidence supporting these allegations, including information from public reporting.
While the timing of the incidents remains unclear, the US has clarified that it has no intentions of imposing sanctions on Israeli government officials.
President Biden has previously condemned such violence and discussed the matter with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In response to the sanctions, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement deeming them unnecessary, asserting that Israel addresses all lawbreakers and that the majority of settlers are law-abiding citizens.
The executive order is seen as a notable move by Biden, potentially signaling a shift in his approach towards Israel and garnering support from Muslim and Arab-American voters critical of his stance on the Gaza conflict.
This action follows Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s December announcement of a new policy targeting extremist Israeli settlers responsible for violence in the West Bank.
The policy aims to prevent these individuals, both Israelis and Palestinians, from entering the United States and is expected to impact several individuals and their families.
Settler violence in the West Bank has long been a contentious issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The recent escalation, especially since the October 7 Hamas attack, has heightened tensions and led to increased fears of revenge attacks.
President Biden considers settler violence a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.
Biden, addressing the National Prayer Breakfast, acknowledged the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians, expressing his commitment to actively work towards peace, security, and dignity for both peoples.
He emphasized ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reiterating the pursuit of enduring peace with two states for two peoples.
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