Senior Democrats have accused former President Donald Trump’s administration of fostering a "climate of impunity and unbridled violence" by lifting sanctions on violent Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, endangering both Palestinians and US citizens.

In a letter dated August 6, 2026, seen by the Guardian, 19 Democratic senators and representatives, including Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, urged the current US administration to restore sanctions against extremist settlers and conduct independent investigations into the deaths of nine US citizens killed in the West Bank since 2022. The letter was addressed to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The lawmakers criticized Trump’s rescinding of sanctions on more than 30 settlers and organizations linked to violence on his first day back in office, stating that this decision sent a "clear message" that settlers could use violent and deadly force with impunity while seizing land.

The letter highlights UN figures reporting 1,835 attacks on Palestinian communities and property in 2025—the highest since records began—and notes that the current pace of settler attacks in 2026 is even higher.

Victims named include Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, 14-year-old Amer Mohammed Rabea, several teenagers, and US citizens such as 78-year-old Omar Assad and Turkish American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi.

The Democrats also expressed concern over the detention of US citizens by the Israeli military, including 20-year-old Sama Safi, whose access to vital medication was reportedly interrupted after her arrest, and Mohammed Ibrahim, detained for nine months starting at age 15.

The letter argues that Trump’s promise not to allow Israel to annex the West Bank has been undermined by ongoing events, with settlers and the Netanyahu government expanding Israeli control over civilian populations in the region.

They called on the administration to use all diplomatic and economic tools available to end the violence and settlement expansion.

Sources