More than 20 US senators introduce resolution on violence in the West Bank
More than 20 US senators have introduced a privileged resolution concerning violence in the occupied West Bank, including the deaths of US citizens. The initiative was led by Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Van Hollen, Tim Kaine and Bernie Sanders, Anadolu Agency reports.
What information the senators are requesting
The resolution was introduced under Section 502B(c) of the US Foreign Assistance Act. If approved, the State Department must provide Congress with information on investigations into the killings of US citizens in the West Bank that, according to the text of the initiative, are linked to Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces.
The document also provides for an assessment of the human rights situation in the territory, including the detention of Palestinian children. The resolution’s authors said that nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years. In their view, these cases have not ensured sufficient accountability by either Israeli or US authorities.
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Further procedure
The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee will have 10 days to consider the document, after which it may be brought before the Senate. If the resolution is approved, the US administration will have 30 days to submit a report.
Failure to submit the report could lead to restrictions on certain types of US security assistance to Israel. After receiving the document, Congress will be able to consider possible changes to such assistance in light of its findings.
