Slotkin, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Israeli Settlements in the West Bank 

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined legislation to sanction companies, individuals, and other entities that help develop Israeli settlements in the E1 area of the West Bank. The legislation was led by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), among others. 

Israel approved more than 3,000 housing units in E1, just last year, and has recently opened bidding to construction firms. If built, the settlements could split the West Bank in two and seriously undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said after approving the plan that “a Palestinian state will not be established.” 

“Amid increasing violence, displacement, and fear for Palestinian civilians in the West Bank, the E1 project would make peace in the region harder to achieve and it is not in the interest of Israel’s long-term security or America’s,” said Slotkin. “For 30 years, Republican and Democratic administrations have opposed this project, and the United States should make clear that anyone who profits from this construction will face consequences for undermining long-term stability and prosperity, as well as displacing more of the Palestinian people.” 

“For decades, American presidents from both parties have warned successive Israeli governments that construction in E1 threatened the viability of a Palestinian state and was unacceptable to the United States,” said Coons. “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity, and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians.” 

The bill would sanction any foreign person the Treasury Secretary finds responsible for or complicit in building settlements or related structures in E1, including by bidding on E1 tenders. It would also sanction anyone who organizes, directs, finances, or facilitates moving Israeli civilians into E1 settlements. 

The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 
 
Full bill text is available here. 

### 

The post Slotkin, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Israeli Settlements in the West Bank  appeared first on Senator Elissa Slotkin.