In February of this year, President Biden took an unprecedented step to curb settler violence by issuing Executive Order 14115 which allowed the administration to impose sanctions on individuals undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. Since its issuance, the Biden administration has used this Executive Order numerous times to sanction some of the most violent extremist settlers, outposts and organizations, and to cut off some of the funding sources for their movement, including crowdfunding websites. 

Now, with just one month left in President Biden’s term, this Executive Order is vulnerable to being revoked by future administrations. This is why a new bill introduced last week by Senator Peter Welch and Representative Summer Lee is so important.

The Sanctions and Accountability for Non-Compliance and Transparent Investigative Oversight for National Security (SANCTIONS) in the West Bank Act will codify President Biden’s February 2024 Executive Order, permanently establishing the mechanism through which perpetrators of settler violence are held accountable. This bicameral legislation is a significant step that underscores the United States' commitment to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. 

Settlement expansion and the forced displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank are a significant impediment to peace. Settler violence is a key factor in the dispossession of Palestinian land in the West Bank and, since October 7th, it has accelerated. In the last fourteen months at least 57 Palestinian communities have been forced to flee their homes as a result of settler attacks. 

Contact your Representative and Senators now and urge them to protect the executive order by cosponsoring this bill to codifying it and establish comprehensive sanctions on bad actors.