Democrats Call for Sanctions on Israeli Officials

A coalition of 88 Democratic lawmakers has urged President Joe Biden to impose sanctions on Israeli officials Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir due to their roles in inciting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. The letter, which highlights over 1,270 attacks by Israeli settlers, calls for action under an existing executive order aimed at individuals responsible for violence. This appeal follows frustrations within the party regarding the Biden administration's handling of Israeli policies and its impact on human rights. Lawmakers stress the urgency of a U.S. response to signal disapproval of the Netanyahu government's actions. The letter was dated October 29 but publicly released after a lack of response from the White House. With the recent U.S. elections shifting the political landscape, the lawmakers emphasize the importance of addressing these issues before Biden leaves office.