Biden takes new action against West Bank settlers who attack Palestinians

US President says violence in occupied territory constitutes a serious threat to peace, security and stability in the region

US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Congress condemning violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. AP

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The US imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers on Thursday after President Joe Biden issued an executive order against those who undermine “peace, stability and security” in the occupied West Bank, following a surge in violence against Palestinians.

Mr Biden has previously spoken out against Israeli settler violence in the territory and vowed to hold them accountable.

"Such actions constitute a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel and the broader Middle East region and undermine the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States," Mr Biden said in a letter to Congress.

The new executive order gives the Treasury and State departments the authority to freeze US assets of those under sanctions, prohibit US citizens and companies from conducting business with them and bar them entry to the US.

"Today’s actions seek to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.

One of the settlers sanctioned is accused of initiating and leading a riot that resulted in the death of a Palestinian civilian.

Two others were involved in assaulting Palestinian farmers and Israeli activists. The fourth settler regularly led groups from the Meitarim Farm outpost that assaulted Palestinian and Bedouin civilians and threatened them, Washington said.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that US officials have had "very frank" discussions with their Israeli counterparts and have asked Israel to take action against extremist settlers. He also said Washington could take additional action in the future.

"We will not hesitate to use the sanctions authorities if it's appropriate to do so," Mr Miller told reporters.

Meanwhile, Israel criticised the US sanctions.

"Israel acts against all lawbreakers everywhere, so there is no room for exceptional measures in this regard," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters before the announcement was made, senior administration officials said Mr Biden's executive order was “non-discriminatory” and applied to Israelis, Palestinians and other foreign citizens.

Since the outbreak of the war, violence has surged in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of hundreds Palestinian civilians.

Since October 7, 362 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, according to UN figures.

That included an Israeli strike in Jenin last month that resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians, as well as a raid at the Ibn Sina Hospital.

The new order comes as Mr Biden was set to visit Michigan on Thursday as part of his presidential re-election campaign, but he was expected to face opposition from the state's Arab-American community over his handling of the conflict in the region.

Thursday's executive order also follows actions taken by the State Department to impose visa restrictions on extremist Israeli settlers in December.

It was also a rare move from the US President, who has consistently backed Mr Netanyahu's war efforts against Hamas. But the White House has faced mounting pressure as Israel's assault on Gaza has left at least 27,000 Palestinians dead, more than 66,000 wounded and most of the population displaced.

A senior US senator said before the announcement he was "pleased" with the latest measure.

"There's got to be a strong message against the extreme activities taken by some settlers on the West Bank, jeopardising the lives of Palestinians as well as peace in the region," said Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.

"So I strongly support this strong action being taken against those that are involved in settler violence."