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The Trump administration is considering sanctions and restrictions on Israeli military units over rising illegal settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, Haaretz reported, citing sources familiar with U.S.-Israeli discussions.
Measures under review reportedly include sanctions on Israeli military units accused of causing exceptional harm to Palestinian civilians, restrictions on the use of U.S.-made weapons by certain units or in specific areas, and a possible blacklist of army and police officers accused of allowing violent settler attacks.
According to Haaretz, senior Trump administration officials are closely monitoring developments and have issued unusually sharp warnings to Israel's defense establishment.
Sources cited by Haaretz said U.S. officials do not share Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's characterization of violent settlers as a “small group.”
Washington is increasingly concerned about what the report described as the involvement of Israeli authorities, or their failure to intervene, in attacks on Palestinians and the seizure of privately owned Palestinian land.
The sources also alleged that the Israeli military, police, Shin Bet security service and Civil Administration had in some cases turned a blind eye to or facilitated actions they described as efforts at ethnic cleansing and violent land seizures.
U.S. officials have also reportedly warned Israeli counterparts about risks to the wider settlement project.
Haaretz said Washington believes policies supported by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also holds a position in the Defense Ministry, have accelerated ahead of Israel's Oct. 27 election.
According to the report, possible U.S. measures are expected to be held until after Israel's election and the U.S. midterm elections a week later.
The report said one option would be measures targeting military units accused of severe harm to Palestinian civilians. It noted that the Biden administration considered similar action about five years ago involving the Netzah Yehuda unit.
Washington is also considering banning the use of U.S.-made weapons by certain units or in specified sectors, according to the sources.
The U.S. has further warned that it could identify army and police officers who allegedly allowed settler attacks and place them on a blacklist.
The reported U.S. deliberations come as support for Israel has declined in U.S. public opinion surveys and international pressure over West Bank settlements has increased.
The U.S. Senate recently narrowly rejected a resolution that would have required the State Department to submit a report on human rights violations by Israel in the West Bank.
The report also noted criticism from British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, European sanctions targeting settlements and lengthy customs inspections of Israeli passengers at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport under restrictions on goods produced in settlements.
Britain, France and Canada have also led a group of 12 Western countries in steps aimed at restricting trade and business ties with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Haaretz additionally cited growing international criticism following widespread destruction in Gaza and changes in Western attitudes toward Israel.
According to figures cited in the material, the Israeli military and settlers carried out 2,051 attacks against Palestinians, agricultural land and property in the occupied West Bank during September.
Since Israel began its attacks on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, detentions, raids and attacks against Palestinians have also increased in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Haaretz said the developments reflect growing U.S. concern over settler violence and the response of Israeli authorities as Washington considers whether to impose new restrictions.
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