S. 2667: West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025S. 2672: To codify Executive Order 14115 imposing certain sanctions on persons undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank
S. 2667 was introduced on 1 August, 2025 by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). It is currently pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has 5 co-sponsors on a party line basis.
S. 2672 was introduced on 1 August, 2025 by Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). It is currently pending before the Senate Banking Committee, and has 4 co-sponsors on a party line basis.
Related legislation: H.R.3045, The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
Bill Summary: Both S.2672 (the “Welch Bill) and S. 2667 (the “Booker Bill”) aim to address settler violence in the West Bank through the imposition of sanctions. While the Welch Bill seeks to codify EO 14115 into federal law and reimpose sanctions on settlers previously sanctioned under EO 14115, the Booker Bill seeks to create a new legal framework of sanctions that mirrors the scope of former President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) 14115, but has four key differences from the Welch Bill and the Biden EO . First, it includes a clear exception for humanitarian assistance (private donations), allowing for transactions related to agricultural commodities, food, and medicine, which the Executive Order explicitly prohibits providing to sanctioned individuals. Second, the bill gives the President the broad authority to waive sanctions if it is determined to be in the national security interests of the United States, a provision not present in the Welch Bill which utilizes the exemptions listed in the EO for the official business of the federal government, its agencies and law enforcement, and the United Nations. Third, it includes a direct mention of persons who make agricultural land unworkable. Last, the Booker Bill adds a reporting requirement that is more explicit than that in the Welch Bill, and which includes a comprehensive recurring reporting schedule of 90 days after the passage of the bill and every 180 days after the initial report, report to include a list of all individuals and entities sanctioned, description of the specific activities that led to the imposition of sanctions, a list of individuals who were given sanction waivers along with a list of activities that would qualify them for sanctions, description of the circumstances in the West Bank relating to violence against civilians and private property and whether such actions were against US persons or property of the US persons, an assessment of the actions the USG and regional partners are taking to reduce violence against civilians and private property in the west bank. Both the Booker and Welch bill included “good behavior clauses” providing an incentive for settlers to cease their sanctioned behavior. However, Bookers bill requires that the sanctioned person “is not engaging in the activity that was the basis for such sanctions; or has taken significant, verifiable steps toward stopping the activity that was the basis for such sanctions” while Welch’s bill requires the sanctioned activity to stop and for significant, verifiable steps toward stopping the activity.
Context: The legislative push for these sanctions follows a sequence of executive actions. On February 1, 2024, the Biden administration signed E.O. 14115 to counter rising settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank that followed the October 7, 2023 attacks. The Trump Administration rescinded that executive order on January 20, 2025, creating a policy vacuum, and individuals sanctioned under the Biden EO have since been directly linked to the murder of Palestinians in the West Bank. Both of these Bills were introduced to rectify this by re-establishing sanctions through legislation. The inclusion in the Booker Bill of specific language targeting the destruction of agricultural lands is a crucial addition, even if the original EO 14115. implied it under general "property destruction" clauses. This detail is significant because, for Palestinians, agriculture, and specifically oleoculture, is a core cultural and economic practice; ancient olive trees symbolize the historical connection of the people to the land. The targeting of these trees by settlers, as documented by organizations like the American Anthropological Association, is not just economic sabotage but a deliberate psychological attack designed to erase Palestinian heritage and presence.
Although all the additions of the Booker bill are not positive, the humanitarian aid exemption allows for private donations to Israeli settlers that have been sanctioned. Crowdfunding platforms like IsraelGives have generated millions of dollars in donations from US citizens to help fund illegal West Bank settlements and paramilitary groups that have caused the very sanctions this bill seeks to impose. For the sanctions regime to be successful, it is important to ensure that loopholes like this are closed. This exemption should not be mistaken for aid that had been provided by humanitarian organizations or the United States government to those who need it for survival.
While EO 14115 was an important step, its removal by a change in administration shows an inherent weakness in a reliance on executive orders. Both Senator Booker, with positive and negative changes, and Senator Welch bills seek to codify the EO helps to remediate that weakness and places greater political weight into this sanctions regime. Although the national security waiver is inherently broad, it is still in line with the spirit of the EO and an important step in the right direction. These bills not only symbolize that American foreign policy seeks to protect the human rights and of Palestinians in the West Bank but that American domestic politics and law stand behind protecting Palestinians from being removed from their land by settlers who are often armed with American weapons.
American Values Analysis: Both Bills are in line with American values of promoting human rights and self-determination. They are an appropriate response to settlers who violate American law and values utilizing American weapons to displace Palestinians with the goal to create a new trail of tears for Palestinians whose only crime is not wanting to leave their homes.
American Interest Analysis: Both bills are in line with American interests. Palestinians in the West Bank were not involved in the October 7 attack by Hamas and the expansion of settler violence against Palestinians can only lead to further violence and place any peace process in further jeopardy. The Bills seek to apply real consequences for settlers that seek to counter American interests in the region and spark further conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
A New Policy’s Recommendation: SUPPORT
A New Policy supports both S. 2667 and S. 2672 as they are in line with both American interest and values while promoting Palestinian human rights. However, A New Policy encourages the sponsors of both Bills to work together to endorse each others’ efforts and ideally to develop a singular bill that can unite the caucus in standing up for human rights.
For more information please contact: Josh Paul, info@anewpolicy.org, (202) 770-0055
