WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) led colleagues in urging the Trump administration to take immediate action on reports that Israeli settlers are blocking humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza and attacking Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank.
“We write to express our grave concern over reports that Israeli settlers (settlers) are obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and engaging in violent attacks against Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “We urge the Departments of State and Treasury to review these reports, conduct a speedy investigation, and if warranted, impose targeted sanctions under Executive Order 13818 on individuals found responsible.”
Reports from the United Nations, humanitarian NGOs, and press outlets have documented settlers blocking aid convoys bound for Gaza. In the West Bank, settlers have also reportedly violently attacked Palestinian Americans, including the fatal beating of Sayfollah Musallet in Sinjil and an arson attack that killed Khamis Ayyad in Silwad.
“Given the increasingly dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and ongoing violence in the West Bank, the U.S. must do more to ensure the safe distribution of aid and promote security and stability in these areas to prevent further conflict,” continued the Senators.
Executive Order 13818, which was signed in 2017 by President Trump, enacts and expands the authorities of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act by giving the U.S. government authority to sanction foreign individuals involved in “serious human rights abuses” and “corruption.”
In the letter, the Senators called on the Departments of State and Treasury to:
- Conduct a full review of individuals credibly alleged to have obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza and of those individuals engaged in violent attacks on Palestinian civilians or aid workers in the West Bank;
- Designate such individuals for sanctions under Executive Order 13818; and
- Coordinate with Israeli authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further disruption of humanitarian operations.
The letter was signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
Read the full letter HERE.
8/18/25