The White House is reportedly considering imposing sanctions on two members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, according to the Israeli news site “Walla.”
The National Security Council at the White House has been discussing actions in response to settlement activities and the security situation in the occupied West Bank.
Among the measures being considered are sanctions on organizations involved in settlement construction and removing the “Made in Israel” label from products.
The US ambassador to Israel has proposed opening a dialogue with Smotrich to alter his behavior.
A recent meeting of the White House’s National Security Council Deputies Committee, attended by representatives from all US foreign policy, national security, and intelligence agencies, highlighted the American government’s frustration and anger over Israel’s settlement expansion policies and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority.
This issue is expected to be a major topic in the upcoming meeting between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House next week, according to two senior American officials.
On Friday, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that Israel’s policies and actions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem amount to the annexation of large parts of Palestinian territories.
Although the opinion is not binding, it is one of the most significant decisions by the international court since the Israeli occupation began in 1967.
Israeli officials are deeply concerned that Western countries, including the US, might use the advisory opinion to impose sanctions on settlers, private entities operating in the settlements, and elements of the Israeli government itself.
