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Six Democrats in the US House of Representatives are set to introduce legislation on Thursday that would impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in building or expanding Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Representatives Joaquin Castro, Madeleine Dean, Don Beyer, Greg Casar, Sara Jacobs and Veronica Escobar are sponsoring the Stop the Settlements Act, according to the bill’s sponsors.
What the proposed bill would do
The legislation would seek to halt the construction of new settlements and the expansion of existing Israeli settlements and outposts through targeted sanctions. It would also prohibit the importation of goods produced in the settlements and outposts.
Supporters of the bill say the proposed measures are aimed at preventing further displacement of Palestinians and preserving a path toward a political settlement in which Israelis and Palestinians can exercise self-determination.
Castro criticises settlement activity
Castro, one of the bill’s sponsors, criticised the Israeli government and settlement activity in the West Bank.
“Under [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government, settlers are engaged in a violent land grab that’s ripping Palestinians from their land,” he said in a statement.
He described the continued expansion of Israeli settlements as a major obstacle to peace and urged Congress to use sanctions to address settlement construction.
“Democrats must face this with urgency—act now or watch the prospect of Palestinian self-determination slip away forever,” Castro said.
