Washington Considers Broader Sanctions on Israel Due to Settler Terrorism in the West Bank

Ramallah - Afaq News - The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" revealed that the United States is considering imposing a series of sanctions and measures against Israel, in light of the escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, with discussions on implementing them to take place more extensively after the Israeli elections.

Among the sanctions being considered by the U.S. administration is a ban on certain military units using U.S.-made weapons in specific areas.

According to the report, U.S. officials warned in closed discussions that the continued escalation in the West Bank could lead to widespread repercussions threatening the future of the settlement project, along with measures targeting Israeli military and security entities.

The options being discussed, according to the newspaper, include taking action against specific units in the Israeli army, imposing restrictions related to the use of American weapons, in addition to the possibility of placing officers in the army and police on a blacklist, based on what Washington describes as allowing violent attacks against Palestinians.

These warnings come amid escalating violence in the West Bank and the expansion of settlements and outposts, coinciding with the upcoming olive harvest season, amid fears of renewed attacks on Palestinian farmers.

"Haaretz" points out that the nature of potential U.S. actions reflects a shift in the discussion from sanctions targeting individuals involved in violence to options that could affect institutions, military units, and policies related to settlement.

The newspaper reported that a "strong American warning" recently reached the Israeli security apparatus, following the growing anger regarding settler terrorism, which has gone beyond the statements of the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who criticized settler terrorism.

The newspaper added that officials in the Trump administration are monitoring any reports issued regarding settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank, and that U.S. officials recognize that these settlers are not "weeds" as described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Officials in the Trump administration also emphasize the involvement of Israeli security forces, including the army, police, Shin Bet, and the "civil administration," in settler terrorism through "turning a blind eye and sometimes with active participation in ethnic cleansing efforts, violent attacks, and control over privately owned Palestinian land," according to the newspaper.

The newspaper mentioned that in Washington, they are aware that settler terrorism and the support of Israeli security forces for them, backed by Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have escalated "in an attempt to impose facts on the eve of elections, and that the Americans are warning their Israeli counterparts of "consequences that will pose a threat to the entire settlement project."