August 20, 2025

Wyden, Merkley Call for Investigation, Sanctions for Israeli Settlers’ Violence and Obstruction of Aid in Gaza

Washington D.C.– U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both D-Ore., today announced they are joining Senate colleagues in demanding the Trump administration act immediately on reports that Israeli settlers are blocking humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza and attacking Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank.

“We write to express our grave concern over reports that Israeli settlers (settlers) are obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and engaging in violent attacks against Palestinian civilians, including U.S. citizens, in the West Bank,” the senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “We urge the Departments of State and Treasury to review these reports, conduct a speedy investigation, and if warranted, impose targeted sanctions under Executive Order 13818 on individuals found responsible.”

The United Nations, press outlets, and humanitarian NGOs have documented and reported on settlers blocking aid convoys bound for Gaza. In the West Bank, settlers have also reportedly violently attacked Palestinian Americans, including the fatal beating of Sayfollah Musallet in Sinjil and an arson attack that killed Khamis Ayyad in Silwad.

“Given the increasingly dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and ongoing violence in the West Bank, the U.S. must do more to ensure the safe distribution of aid and promote security and stability in these areas to prevent further conflict,” the senators wrote.

Executive Order 13818, which was signed in 2017 by Donald Trump, enacts and expands the authorities of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act by giving the U.S. government authority to sanction foreign individuals involved in “serious human rights abuses” and “corruption.”

In the letter, the senators called on the Departments of State and Treasury to:

  1. Conduct a full review of individuals credibly alleged to have obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, and of those individuals engaged in violent attacks on Palestinian civilians or aid workers in the West Bank;

  2. Designate such individuals for sanctions under Executive Order 13818; and

  1. Coordinate with Israeli authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further disruption of humanitarian operations.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) signed the letter, which was led by Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).

Read the full letter here.