US Senators Call for Reinstatement of Sanctions on West Bank Settlers as Violence Surges and 28,872 Housing Units Advanced in 2024

Washington, D.C. – Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY) have formally urged former President Donald Trump to pressure the Israeli government to halt attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the West Bank and to oppose settlement expansion. The lawmakers specifically called for the reimposition of Biden-era sanctions on violent settlers if the Israeli government fails to take decisive action, according to a letter exclusively reported by Jewish Insider.

The appeal comes amidst a significant escalation of settler violence and a marked increase in Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. Recent reports indicate a surge in attacks against Palestinians, with the UN logging over 260 incidents resulting in casualties or property damage in October alone, the highest monthly count since 2006. These incidents include physical assaults, destruction of property, and the torching of homes and mosques.

The European Union reported that 28,872 housing units were advanced in Israeli settlements across the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2024. This represents a 250 percent increase in settlement plans over a seven-year period since 2018, significantly expanding the Israeli footprint in the territory. Critics argue that such expansion undermines the viability of a two-state solution.

Booker and Goldman, both generally considered strong supporters of Israel, emphasized that "the Netanyahu government’s lack of action to address extreme settler violence emboldens Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups." They stressed that unchecked violence and settlement expansion threaten Israel's security, isolate it internationally, and undermine regional peace efforts, including the Abraham Accords.

The Trump administration previously reversed a decades-old U.S. policy in 2019, stating that it no longer considered Israeli settlements in the West Bank inconsistent with international law. More recently, in January 2025, President Trump rescinded sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on far-right Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of violence against Palestinians. This policy shift has drawn criticism for potentially encouraging further settlement activity and violence.

The lawmakers' letter highlights the urgent need for accountability and protection for civilians in the West Bank. They stated, "More must be done to stop settler violence and ensure that those who perpetrate acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank are not allowed to operate with impunity." The call for sanctions aims to compel the Israeli government to address these escalating issues.