WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to increased rates of destabilizing violence in the West Bank, particularly against civilians, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Mark Warner (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, and Michael Bennet (D-CO), member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; introduced legislation to deter and prevent such violent actions against civilians in the West Bank.

The West Bank Violence Prevention Act would authorize the imposition of sanctions on those who commit acts of violence that undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the region. The legislation seeks to reduce violence by requiring the President to block the visas and assets of foreign persons, regardless of nationality, engaging in violent extremist acts of terror, intimidation, and coercion against civilians in the West Bank.

According to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, as tensions have risen in the region, incidents of violence by extremist right-wing Israeli settlers have increased by an estimated 30 percent over the first few months of 2025. Violent incidents in the West Bank have led to the killing of civilians, including American citizens, the displacement of communities, and the destruction of private property, including agricultural lands that provide livelihoods. Such violence continues today and not only threatens the safety of civilians, but also greatly undermines the stability and security of the West Bank, Israel, and the region.

“After the Trump Administration revoked U.S. sanctions against violent extremists in the West Bank, we have seen the highest rates of violent attacks perpetrated by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and civilian property in years—including unacceptable incidents where American citizens have been killed,” said Senator Booker. “These violent acts not only displace communities and degrade safety and stability in the West Bank, but they risk Israel’s security, increase tensions in the region, and undermine hope for achieving a two-state solution and a just and lasting peace. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his ultra right-wing coalition government have failed to hold perpetrators accountable–with some members even inciting such violence–and have failed to take action to prevent these kinds of attacks from occurring. The United States must take action to protect civilians in the West Bank and American citizens overseas, and put an end to the senseless violence that continues to threaten the region. This legislation seeks to ensure any person or entity committing or facilitating such violence is held accountable.”

“Escalating extremist settler violence directed against Palestinians in the West Bank is unacceptable and must end. The failure of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to hold the perpetrators accountable has only fueled instability and impunity. Just in the last month, two Americans were killed by extremist settlers in the West Bank. The United States and Israel must immediately put an end to this violence, ensure accountability for those responsible and restore stability in the West Bank. Together with our partners in the region, we must work toward a negotiated two-state outcome with a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in equal measures of peace, security and mutual recognition,” said Ranking Member Shaheen.

“Sustained violence against civilians in the West Bank, particularly when it goes unpunished, poses a growing threat to regional stability and to the lives and well-being of all Palestinians in the West Bank. Confronted with surging rates of violence, displacement, and property destruction perpetrated by extremist settlers, we have a moral responsibility to stand up and make clear that the U.S. will not stand idly by. We must make clear that those who commit, incite, or enable these acts of violence, and who threaten further destabilization in the West Bank, will face consequences,” said Senator Warner.

“The Netanyahu government is failing to halt violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and must be held accountable. The targeting of Palestinian communities, destruction of property, and loss of innocent lives are unacceptable. It is in Israel’s best interest to enforce its laws. This legislation would help prioritize action to prevent settler violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and reaffirm America’s commitment to protecting Palestinian people,” said Senator Reed.

“Instability and violence in the West Bank are an impediment to peace and security in Israel and the Middle East,” said Senator Coons. “Extremist Israeli settlers and Palestinian terrorists should not be allowed to continue their campaigns of devastation and fear. If President Trump wants to secure a peace deal that guarantees Israel’s security, he must start by preventing violence by all perpetrators in an already unpredictable and dangerous situation.”

"Violent attacks by extremist settlers on innocent civilians and property in the West Bank are unacceptable, and threaten further destabilization in the region," said Senator Bennet. "This legislation takes the necessary steps to ensure that the United States holds violent attackers in the West Bank accountable."

Specifically, this the West Bank Violence Protection Act of 2025 would:

  1. Block visas and assets of on foreign persons determined to be responsible for or complicit in actions that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank. Destabilizing actions include directing or participating in acts of violence targeting civilians; a threat of violence targeting civilians with the intent to coerce or intimidate; efforts to place civilians in reasonable fear of violence with the purpose or effect of necessitating a change of residence to avoid such violence; property destruction by private persons; seizure or dispossession of property by private persons; acts of terrorism, and attempts to commit or training to commit acts of terrorism targeting the West Bank. (The legislation includes a national security waiver.)
  2. Direct the State Department to issue a report on the efforts the Trump Administration and regional partners are taking to deter, prevent, and reduce violence in the West Bank.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.