Castro, Dean, Beyer, Casar, Jacobs to Introduce Sanctions on Drivers of Settlement Expansion

Castro, Dean, Beyer, Casar, Jacobs, Escobar to Introduce Sanctions on Drivers of Settlement Expansion

Legislation Imposes Sanctions On Individuals And Entities Expanding Settlements In West Bank And Gaza

Bill Text | One-Pager

WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, Reps. Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) will introduce legislation to impose sanctions on individuals and entities building or expanding settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. H.R. 0953, the Stop the Settlements Act would stop the construction of new settlements or expansion of existing Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank and Gaza through the use of sanctions and a prohibition on the importation of goods made in these settlements and outposts. Stopping the construction of new settlements or expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza would protect Palestinians from dispossession of their land and help create a pathway to peace, where both Israelis and Palestinians are able to fully exercise their right to self-determination.

"Under Netanyahu's government, settlers are engaged in a violent land grab that's ripping Palestinians from their land," said Congressman Castro. "The record expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank continues to be one of the greatest impediments to peace. Democrats must face this with urgency-act now or watch the prospect of Palestinian self-determination slip away forever. Congress should and can be using every tool we have available, including sanctions. The Stop the Settlements Act gives any person or company looking to take Palestinian land in the West Bank or Gaza a choice: pursue settlements or do business with the United States. The American people have seen the reality on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, and expect their elected officials to take action. In the coming months and in the next Congress, I will push for the conditions under which security and a lasting peace is possible."

"The continued construction of Israeli settlements and staking of new outposts in the West Bank and Gaza is a violation of international law. They're also part of a deliberate, expressed strategy by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his allies to geographically isolate Palestinian communities, block the possibility of a contiguous state, and prevent the Palestinian people from being able to exercise their rights to self-determination," said Rep. Dean. "Settler organizations and people who illegally push onto Palestinian land, harassing - and even killing legal residents - are actively undermining the peace process and prolonging the current violence. These settlers fund their activities in part through the sale of goods abroad, which this legislation would prohibit, while also authorizing sanctions on some of the worst offenders of international law. It is time that the United States joined our allies - such as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada - in taking action to help preserve dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, which is essential for progress toward peace."

"The continued expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illustrates the contempt Israel's government has for international law and longstanding U.S. policy," said Rep. Beyer. "By accelerating this campaign of violence and theft, particularly in the E1 corridor bordering East Jerusalem, the Israeli government is making clear its intent to fatally undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. The U.S. cannot and should not accept this explicit effort of illegal territorial expansion, which would make a negotiated resolution to this intractable conflict forever out of reach. This legislation puts teeth on what has been clear U.S. policy for decades and sends a strong message that we will not tolerate the illegal settlement movement any longer."

"Settlement expansion displaces Palestinians, violates international law, and prevents peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike," said Congressman Casar. "The Stop the Settlements Act would prohibit the construction and expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. Congress must work toward lasting peace in the region by ending the occupation and genocide."

"Pushing Palestinians out of their homes and off their land in Gaza and the West Bank is one of the greatest obstacles to a lasting pathway to peace," said Congresswoman Jacobs. "As long as the U.S. stands idly by, we're knowingly supporting Israel's coordinated strategy to consolidate Israeli control and prevent Palestinian statehood. We have another choice: use our tools and leverage to help make peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and everyone in the region a reality. That's why I'm proud to co-lead the Stop the Settlements Act, which would require the President to sanction individuals and entities that build or expand settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. This is a reasonable and necessary step to uphold international law, protect civilians, de-escalate violence, and preserve the possibility of lasting peace, security, and stability."

BACKGROUND:

Since December 2022, the Israeli government has approved over 100 new settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have established almost 200 additional outposts. In comparison, only six settlements were approved in the previous three decades. In recent years, senior Israeli officials have openly called for the re-establishment of settlements in Gaza.

These settlements, built on Palestinian land, are one of the biggest impediments to peace and to Palestinian self-determination.

The Stop the Settlements Act would address the unprecedented growth of settlements by sanctioning any foreign entity or individual that engages with activity for the establishment of new Israeli settlements or outposts in the West Bank or Gaza, including developing infrastructure, construction the settlement area known as E1, or facilitating Israeli civilians onto settlements. The bill would also put a ban on imports of settlements goods. This would mirror and complement efforts currently being taken by countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain.

If enacted, the legislation would lead to essentially a defacto settlement freeze with no new settlement construction in the West Bank, while also giving the President the authority to begin going after some of the most problematic and destabilizing settlements and outposts in the West Bank.

The Stop the Settlements Act has gained support from stakeholders with the shared goal of stopping settlement expansion and ensuring Palestinian self-determination and security for Israel:

Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street: "After more than 50 years of Israel disregarding American and other international warnings to stop expanding settlements, it is time for action. We are grateful to Congressman Castro and the other cosponsors for sending a clear signal that Israeli efforts to prevent a Palestinian state will be met with material consequences."

Margaret DeReus, Executive Director of IMEU Policy Project: "The US government has enabled Israeli settlement expansion for too long without any meaningful repercussions to the detriment of Palestinian lives, including Palestinian Americans that live in Palestine. One of the first things the Trump administration did was reverse previous sanctions, and while they continue to turn a blind eye, this bill would impose real consequences on those who support or engage in settlement expansion, in line with international law and our closest allies. This would include banning anyone from importing any goods produced in any Israeli settlement or outpost. We thank Congressman Castro for being a leader in the fight to protect basic Palestinian rights."

Hadar Susskind, President and CEO, New Jewish Narrative: "This bill fills a crucial void. The Trump administration has failed to take action that would stop the Israeli government from executing its reckless agenda of land grabs and annexation. Now Congress has the opportunity to step up and close that gap. This is what real American leadership looks like."

This bill is also endorsed by American Committee for Middle East Rights; A New Policy; Center for International Policy; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Refugees International; Win Without War.

Co-sponsors of the bill include: Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Derek Tran (CA-45), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mark Takano (CA-39), and Maxine Dexter (OR-03).

Read the full bill text and one-pager here and here.

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