Biden signs executive order imposing sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers in West Bank

President Biden signs an executive order authorizing the Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank who engage in violence against Palestinian civilians, destruction of property, and other destabilizing actions. The order follows months of escalating settler violence against Palestinians, with Secretary of State Blinken noting that extremist settlers have "committed terrorist acts." Four settlers are immediately designated under the new authority. Israeli government officials express displeasure. Human rights organizations call it a step forward but argue it is insufficient given the scale of settler violence. The order is among the first concrete US punitive actions directed at Israeli citizens during the Gaza war.