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Amidst an increase in attacks on Palestinians, President Joe Biden made a crucial move by issuing an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The choice was made against the backdrop of Washington’s mounting dissatisfaction with Israel’s conduct in the continuing Israel-Hamas conflict.
The executive order represents a unique move against one of the U.S.’s closest Middle Eastern allies, imposing financial penalties and banning visas for four people. The Biden administration has come under criticism for what is seen as its ardent support of Israel, especially since the number of casualties in the conflict that started with Hamas’ October attack on Israel is rising.
President Biden issued the order in response to the “intolerable levels” of violent extremist settler activity in the West Bank, which he described as a major threat to the region’s peace, security, and stability. Biden emphasised that these acts jeopardise US foreign policy goals, particularly the feasibility of a two-state solution.
The Biden administration has contemplated expanding the scope of sanctions to encompass two Israeli ministers on the far-right, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. A ban on U.S. visas was previously issued for Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank last month.
With the aim of not targeting American citizens, the new order gives the Treasury Department the authority to apply financial sanctions on settlers who use violence. Since a significant portion of West Bank settlers are citizens of the United States, they are not allowed to conduct business with those who are prohibited by U.S. law.
President Biden stressed the need to put an end to Israeli settlers’ violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to exercise more restraint. This action indicates a change in U.S. policy as the administration looks into ways to support Israel’s security while establishing an independent Palestinian state.
The idea of a Palestinian state through a negotiated peace process has long been supported by the international community, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom. But recent remarks from U.S. officials and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron point to a reconsideration of the order in which Palestinian state recognition should be granted. As part of a larger diplomatic process, the goal is now to actively pursue the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
Following the Gaza war, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has directed the State Department to examine and submit policy alternatives for potential recognition of a Palestinian state by the United States and other countries. This represents a break from the conventional wisdom that states that recognition would be the last phase of the procedure.
The executive order and possible changes in the recognition of a Palestinian state highlight the complicated dynamics at play, as President Biden is being criticised by Arab and Muslim leaders for how he has handled the crisis. With ramifications for American internal politics as well as foreign relations, the Middle East crisis remains a major worry.