Biden tries to punish Israeli settlers — RT World News

US President Joe Biden – facing the wrath of pro-Palestinian voters over his support for the West Jerusalem war against Hamas – issued an executive order seeking to punish Israeli settlers who commit acts of violence in the West Bank.

Biden signed the order on Thursday, which calls for asset freezes, visa restrictions, and other sanctions against foreign nationals accused of attacking or threatening civilians in the Palestinian territories. US State Department later Announce The first group of individuals subject to sanctions under the initiative includes the names of four settlers who have been accused of attacking civilians in the West Bank or Israeli activists.

He added: “Israel must make more efforts to stop the violence against civilians in the West Bank and hold those responsible accountable.” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in… statement. He added: “The United States will continue to take actions to advance US foreign policy goals, including the feasibility of a two-state solution, and is committed to the safety, security, and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

This concerns attacks and threats against civilians, which in some cases were used to force Palestinians to leave their lands in the West Bank. For example, one sanctioned individual, David Chasday, was accused of leading a riot in which vehicles and buildings were burned and a Palestinian civilian was killed. There have been hundreds of attacks launched by settlers against civilians in the West Bank since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in October, according to the report. United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs.

Settler violence “It poses a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East region, and threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.” US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

The sanctions will include denying access to the US assets of the targeted individuals, as well as preventing them from entering the United States. The accused settlers will also be banned from conducting transactions with US citizens and from accessing the US financial system.

The Biden administration stopped short of punishing Israeli government officials. Axios It reported Thursday that the administration had considered imposing sanctions “Extreme nationalist” Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have tried to downplay settler violence. Netanyahu said that Israel pursues individuals who break the law “There is no place for extraordinary measures in this regard.”

Biden, who is seeking re-election in November, has faced political backlash over his support for the Israeli war effort against Hamas. More than 27,000 people – most of them civilians – have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to local health authorities.

a Quinnipiac University An opinion poll published on Wednesday showed that only 34% of American voters approved of Biden's handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. A previous CBS News poll showed that the president's support for Israel alienated at least a third of Democratic voters.