President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has issued an executive order imposing sanctions on individuals undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank. Citing high levels of extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction, President Biden declared these actions a serious threat to regional stability and U.S. foreign policy objectives.
The order blocks all property and interests in property within the United States belonging to persons identified by the Secretary of State or the Secretary of the Treasury as responsible for or complicit in activities threatening the peace and security of the West Bank. This includes acts of violence against civilians, property destruction, and seizure or dispossession of property by private actors.
"These actions undermine the foreign policy objectives of the United States," President Biden stated, emphasizing their potential to destabilize the broader Middle East region.
The order also suspends entry into the United States for noncitizens meeting certain criteria unless deemed not contrary to U.S. interests by relevant authorities. The Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security are tasked with implementing these visa restrictions.
Further prohibitions include making contributions or providing support to any person whose property is blocked under this order. Transactions that evade or violate these prohibitions are also banned.
President Biden emphasized that no prior notice will be given to those affected by this order due to the risk of measures being rendered ineffectual if disclosed in advance.
The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to take necessary actions to implement this order, including issuing rules and regulations. All U.S. executive departments and agencies are instructed to comply with this directive.
"This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law," President Biden noted, ensuring it does not create enforceable rights against the United States.
The executive order aims to address what President Biden described as "an unusual and extraordinary threat" posed by ongoing instability in the West Bank region.