US Senate Blocks Measure Seeking Report on West Bank Rights Violations

The US Senate on Tuesday defeated a bid to require the Trump administration to report to Congress on violence and alleged human rights violations, including the deaths of American citizens, over the last few years in the West Bank. The procedural vote resulted in a 47-51 vote, with senators largely divided along party lines.

The proposal would have required the State Department to report on Israeli violence against US citizens in the West Bank or to withhold aid to Israel if no report was made. The measure failed to advance, with senators voting 47-51 against it. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote against it, while Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) voted yes.

In a speech on the Senate floor before the vote, Van Hollen said “In just over four years, nine American citizens have been killed on the West Bank by violent Israeli settlers or members of the Israeli security forces, and there has been zero accountability.”

“It’s long past time that we shine a light on these killings and all of the human rights abuses taking place in the West Bank to get answers.”

Republicans Oppose The Measure

Republican senators largely opposed the resolution, arguing that it could undermine U.S. support for Israel at a time when the country is involved in an ongoing conflict with Iran.

“I urge my colleagues to vote no on this ‌resolution so we can stand with our ally Israel as they beat back the scourge of Iranian-backed terrorism,” Montana Republican Senator Steve Daines ⁠said in a ⁠speech.

The Senate vote comes weeks before the US midterm elections, which are scheduled for November 3, and also ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.

The failed resolution demonstrates the divisions within the US Congress over how Washington should respond to West Bank development and its broader relationship with Israel.

Since 1976, the West Bank has remained under Israeli control. The United Nations and most countries consider settlements there illegal under international law, as does Israel’s growing military occupation.

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