Pressure Israel to End Illegal Settlement Expansion Now

I am writing to demand your immediate action regarding Israel’s brazen and illegal expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank. Recently, Israel has announced the largest land seizure in over 30 years, accompanied by an alarming surge in settler and IDF violence against Palestinians. Over the past 10 months, more than 630 Palestinians have been killed, making 2023 the deadliest year for Palestinian children in the occupied territory—even before the devastating events of October. (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/world/israel-approves-plans-for-nearly-5300-new-homes-in-west-bank-settlements) Israel’s actions in the West Bank are deeply rooted in an illegal occupation that has only intensified while the world’s focus has been diverted by Israel’s horrific offensive on Gaza, which has led to the deaths of 17,000 Palestinian children. Israel is ruthlessly pursuing expansion, displacing over 1,300 Palestinians in recent months alone. The methods employed to force them out are simply barbaric: the destruction and burning of homes, the killing and theft of livestock, forcing residents out at gunpoint, and the merciless shooting, beating, and threatening of children. These actions are not just about land grabs; they are part of a systematic policy of apartheid, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice. The expansion of settlements is a calculated attempt to ethnically cleanse and fully annex the region, which has been under illegal military occupation since 1967. The ICJ has called for the dismantlement of the occupation and settlements, a return to the 1967 borders, full reparations to Palestinian victims, and the facilitation of the return of displaced people. The US must support these demands in every way possible. In June, Israel authorized the largest land grab in the West Bank in over thirty years, encompassing 12.7 square km. This follows the seizure of 8 square kilometers in March and 2.6 square km in February. A 2023 report detailed a 15% growth in the West Bank settler population over the previous five years, with projections indicating it could surpass 600,000 by 2030. The international community’s inaction is unacceptable, and it’s time for the US to take the lead in responding decisively. Current “sanctions” on individual settlers do nothing to address the broader illegality of Israel’s occupation and apartheid policies. True change will only come when sanctions target Israel’s government and its settlement organizations directly. These sanctions must also be used as leverage to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has slaughtered over 42,200 Palestinians, predominantly civilians. I demand that you take immediate steps to sanction Israel, including imposing an arms embargo and a two-way trade embargo and the US must officially recognize a Palestinian state. I expect a prompt response detailing your plan of action to actively and vocally support an end to Israel’s apartheid and its heinous policies and actions.