President Joe Biden has issued an executive order targeting violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, asserting that their actions have undermined stability in the region. The directive, set to be announced Thursday, will impose sanctions on four individuals accused of directly participating in violent acts, including riot initiation, arson, assault on civilians, and property damage.
The sanctioned individuals are David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil, Shalom Zicherman, and Yinon Levi. The order, conveyed to the Israeli government beforehand, aims to block financial assets and bar individuals from entering the US.
The State Department released details of the accused settlers’ actions, substantiating their involvement in West Bank violence. The executive order follows Biden’s condemnation of such acts in the past. While the Israeli Prime Minister’s office deems the sanctions unnecessary, the move signals a significant critique from Biden toward Israel, especially considering his support during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
The order does not address the Gaza situation directly but underscores Biden’s commitment to address settler violence. In December, Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced a policy preventing extremist Israeli settlers responsible for West Bank violence from entering the US.
This latest order is expected to impact dozens of individuals and potentially their family members. Settler violence in the West Bank has been a longstanding issue, exacerbating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Biden emphasizes the need for peace, security, and stability in the region.
