Senator Murray Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on Settler Violence in West Bank

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Executive Order President Biden signed today allowing the U.S. to impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violent attacks against Palestinians. With the signing of the Executive Order, sanctions immediately went into effect on four West Bank settlers who have committed violence against Palestinians.

According to the Executive Order, individuals who are “directing, enacting, implementing and enforcing or failing to enforce policies that threaten the peace, security and stability in the West Bank” could be sanctioned, including Israeli leaders. The Executive Order mirrors sanctions imposed on individuals designated as terrorists.

“This is an important move by President Biden—Israeli settler violence against Palestinians is abhorrent and indefensible, and the Biden Administration’s decision to back up their forceful denouncements of settler violence with sanctions against individuals who direct or participate in this kind of violence and intimidation is a meaningful step that I wholeheartedly support.

“Extremist settler violence, which reached record levels in 2023, is a major threat to the safety and security of thousands of civilians living in the West Bank right now and a very real hurdle to achieving lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. It is essential that we send a strong message that anyone engaging in or threatening violence against Palestinians in the West Bank—including Israeli leaders and government officials—will be held accountable by the United States.”

Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Senator Murray has made numerous calls for humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and has urged President Biden to lead the international community in contributing to the United Nations’ emergency appeal to address the immediate humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza. Murray called for a humanitarian pause in the war in November and as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she is working right now to pass a comprehensive national security supplemental package that includes aid to our allies in Israel and Ukraine and humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians.

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