An unprecedented democratic consensus against Israel's behavior in the West Bank

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Democrats in the US Congress have taken a tougher approach towards Israel, after almost all party members in the Senate recently supported a measure requiring the administration of President Donald Trump to prepare a report on human rights in the West Bank, at a time when party leaders are putting forward legislation imposing sanctions on settlement construction.

However, although the measure was dropped by a majority of 51 votes to 47, the amount of Democratic support reflected an unprecedented willingness to adopt steps that had been rejected for a long time due to the close relationship between Washington and Israel, its closest ally in the Middle East.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, one of the party's most prominent supporters of Israel, supported the decision, and Democrat John Fetterman alone voted against it, while Republican Rand Paul joined the supporters, according to what Reuters reported.

The party was less united two years ago, when only 11 Democrats supported a similar effort by Senator Bernie Sanders on Gaza. The latest resolution, presented by Senator Chris Van Hollen, was based on a previously untested clause in the Foreign Aid Law, which allows Congress to request information about the human rights record of countries receiving US security assistance, and to cut off funding if the administration refrains from providing it. He would have required the State Department to prepare an unclassified report examining the killing of 9 American citizens at the hands of settlers or Israeli security forces, in addition to assessing the human rights situation in the West Bank.

Howlin believed that the United States must do more, and that it is Washington's responsibility to ensure that recipients of American taxpayer money act in line with American laws and values.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Ben-Ami, Chairman of the J Street Group, considered that the unanimous rebuke was reached astonishing, as Democratic support was previously almost automatic for every pro-Israel decision.

On the legislative track, Senator Chris Coons, nominated to chair the Foreign Relations Committee if his party wins the majority, presented a draft that imposes sanctions on building settlements in the strategically important E1 area, which would divide the West Bank into two parts and complicate the establishment of a Palestinian state. The importance of the step is highlighted because Coons previously joined Republicans in opposing his party's attempts to prevent US arms sales to Israel.

Meanwhile, Representative Joaquin Castro from Texas is scheduled to present a broader draft law that would punish Israel for establishing any new settlements in the West Bank and Gaza or expand existing ones, and prohibit the import of goods produced there. Castro believes that Democrats must move quickly and use all available tools, including sanctions, otherwise the opportunity for Palestinian self-determination may disappear. These moves come months after about half of the Democrats in the House of Representatives voted in favor of cutting off aid to Israel, and weeks after Britain, France and Canada announced coordinated sanctions on settlements in the West Bank.

On the other hand, Republicans accused Democrats of seeking political gains at a time when Israel faces threats, 7 months after American and Israeli air strikes that ignited the ongoing conflict with Iran. Senator Steve Daines from Montana urged his colleagues to reject the resolution to stand by America's ally in the face of what he described as Iran-backed terrorism.

It is noteworthy that the decision would not have cut off aid to Israel, the largest recipient of American foreign aid since World War II, but the administration’s failure to submit the report could have opened the door to imposing restrictions on it. These developments gain additional importance with the escalation of settler violence against Palestinians this year.