US Lawmakers Seek Sanctions on Israeli 'E1' Settlement Project
A group of US Senate members from the Democratic Party proposes legislation to impose sanctions on those facilitating the E1 settlement project in the West Bank
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
A copy of a draft bill reviewed by Reuters showed that a group of U.S. Senate Democrats will introduce legislation today, Wednesday, to impose sanctions on individuals or groups that facilitate the implementation of Israel’s “E1” settlement project in the occupied West Bank.
The bill represents the latest sign of growing tensions between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli occupation government over its actions in the West Bank.
A large number of Democratic lawmakers, along with some Republicans, have called for restrictions on U.S. military aid to Israel due to its conduct during the war on Gaza.
Democratic lawmakers have also recently urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to curb settler violence in the West Bank and limit mass arrest campaigns carried out by Israeli security forces against Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Among the chief sponsors of the bill are Chris Coons of Delaware, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon, and Ruben Gallego of Arizona.
Coons said in a statement, “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of destruction and intimidation by extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to ensuring freedom, security, prosperity, and self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.”
The bill has the support of at least ten other senators, all Democrats.
Democrats currently hold only 47 seats in the 100-member Senate, but polls suggest they could win a majority in the midterm elections scheduled for November 3, at the expense of Republicans who have largely rallied behind Netanyahu.
If passed, the bill would impose sanctions on foreign companies, individuals, or other entities that the U.S. Treasury Department determines are responsible for building any Israeli settlements or related facilities in the area of the “E1” project in the West Bank, or are complicit in such activities, including submitting bids.
In August 2025, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced approval of the “E1” project, which would split the occupied West Bank into two parts and isolate it from East Jerusalem.
Western capitals and lobbying groups have opposed the “E1” settlement project due to concerns that it could undermine prospects for reaching a peace agreement with the Palestinians, as well as the two-state solution.
