US Senate blocks resolution seeking report on Israeli violence in West Bank

The US Senate has rejected a Democratic-led resolution that would have required the State Department to provide Congress with a report on violence and human rights conditions in the occupied West Bank, including cases involving the deaths of nine American citizens.

The measure, introduced by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland under Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act, was defeated 47-51 on Tuesday.

The provision would have allowed senators to seek reports on human rights practices in countries receiving US military assistance.

The proposed report would have examined the deaths of nine Americans in the West Bank in recent years, as well as broader human rights conditions, including the detention of Palestinian children. It would have required the State Department to submit its findings within 30 days.

The vote largely followed party lines, with the exception of Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who supported the measure, and Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who voted against it.

Israeli settlers intensify raids in West Bank amid regime’s support

Israeli settlers have intensified devastating raids on Palestinians and their properties in the occupied West Bank amid growing support from the regime.

The resolution was backed by a group of Democratic senators, including Van Hollen, Tim Kaine, and Bernie Sanders.

Van Hollen said after the vote that the outcome showed the need for greater scrutiny of the treatment of US citizens in the West Bank.

He argued that Washington has a responsibility to ensure that recipients of US taxpayer-funded assistance comply with US laws.

“While I was pleased that so many of my Democratic colleagues joined this effort, it’s clear the United States must do more,” he said.

“It is our responsibility to ensure recipients of US taxpayer dollars act in line with our laws and our values – this resolution was an opportunity to shed light on a reality that flies in the face of that principle.”

The nine Americans cited by the senators include Sayfollah Musallet, a 20-year-old from Florida who was killed by Israeli settlers in July 2025, and Khamis Ayyad, an Illinois father of five who died after a settler attack in the village of Silwad.

The list also includes two 17-year-olds, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Khdour, who were killed in separate incidents in 2024, as well as Turkish-American activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who was killed by Israeli forces that year. The list also includes Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in 2022.

US delivers 90,000 tons of weapons to Israel since start of Gaza genocide

Washington’s total military aid to Tel Aviv since the Gaza war began stands at 90,000 tons, according to Israeli officials.

The Senate vote came amid continued concern over settler violence and displacement in the West Bank.

Human Rights Watch reported in August that settler attacks had fully or partially displaced 107 Palestinian communities, involving about 5,900 people, since January 2023.

The group also cited UN data showing that displacement during the first four months of 2026 had already exceeded the total recorded for all of 2025.

The failed resolution follows growing debate in Congress over US policy toward Israel.

In recent months, Democratic senators have introduced or supported measures seeking greater scrutiny of Israeli settlement activity and US military assistance, reflecting a broader debate within the Democratic Party over Washington’s relationship with Israel.

Since October 2023, the occupied West Bank has experienced a rise in assaults by the Israeli army and settlers. 

The international community has almost unanimously condemned the rise in settler violence in the West Bank, where more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed by settlers over the past three years.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk