Democrats Target West Bank Settler Violence with Sanctions Bill

House Democratic leaders, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are preparing a legislative package that would bar individuals who commit violence in the occupied West Bank from entering the United States and would impose economic sanctions on companies involved in settlement projects. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler and endorsed by 174 House Democrats, is slated as a priority for the next congressional session if Democrats gain control of the chamber.

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The initiative follows a sharp increase in Israeli settlement activity under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition. Israeli anti-settlement monitors counted roughly 28,000 new housing units built in the West Bank last year, more than double the previous annual record. The expansion has coincided with a surge in settler attacks, which the United Nations recorded as 2,803 incidents between January 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 295 Palestinian deaths and 18 Israeli deaths.

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• New West Bank housing units (latest year): ~28,000 (Israeli anti-settlement groups).

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• Settler-related incidents (Jan 2025 – Jun 2026): 2,803 (U.N.).

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• Palestinian fatalities in those incidents: 295 (U.N.).

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• Israeli fatalities in the same period: 18 (U.N.).

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Jeffries emphasized that “settler violence cannot continue” and framed the sanctions bill as a “legislative step” to counter the “out-of-control” attacks. Senate Democrats—including Sens. Chris Coons, Ruben Gallego, Ron Wyden, and Elizabeth Warren—introduced parallel legislation targeting companies tied to the controversial E-1 project, arguing that the United States must send a strong message against extremist settler behavior. Israeli officials have defended their actions as necessary for national security, while Netanyahu’s recent UN speech drew walkouts from several delegations.

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• “I support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state,” — Capitol. Jeffries

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• “As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians,” — Sens. Chris Coons

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