US Senate Blocks Measure Seeking Report On West Bank Rights Violations

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Washington: The US Senate on Tuesday rejected a measure requiring the Trump administration to report to Congress on human rights breaches and escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, including the killings of American citizens. The procedural vote failed 47 to 51.

The resolution, introduced by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, requested a State Department report on Americans killed by Israeli settlers or security forces in the West Bank. It also called for a review of the territory's overall human rights condition.

Van Hollen noted that the legislation was designed to determine whether recipients of US taxpayer cash were following US laws and established criteria. The resolution did not recommend suspending funding to Israel, but failing to produce the desired report may have resulted in restrictions on support.

Republican senators rejected the bill, saying that it could damage US relations with Israel as the country faces persistent regional security challenges. Senator Steve Daines encouraged lawmakers to reject the measure and support Israel. The vote was strongly partisan, with all Republicans except Rand Paul voting against it and all Democrats except John Fetterman voting for it.

The decision comes amid a heated debate in Washington over Israeli settlement development and violence in the West Bank. Reuters reported that settler violence against Palestinians has grown dramatically this year.

Israel has ruled the West Bank since 1967; the UN and most countries consider Israeli settlements there to be illegal under international law, but Israel disputes this and views its territory as disputed.