West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3045
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:05:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 aims to address escalating violence in the West Bank, particularly by extremist settlers, through targeted sanctions. It seeks to protect regional stability, support U.S. foreign policy goals like a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, and counter threats to U.S. national security arising from actions such as forced displacement, property destruction, and violence against civilians.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Congress identifies high levels of settler violence, displacement, and property damage in the West Bank as a severe threat to peace in the West Bank, Gaza, Israel, and the broader Middle East. These actions are seen as undermining U.S. goals for security, prosperity, and a two-state solution, while endangering U.S. interests.
- Sanctions Authorization:
- The President must impose sanctions on any "foreign person" (an individual or entity outside the U.S.) determined to be involved in:
- Threatening West Bank peace, security, or stability through policies or failures to enforce laws.
- Planning or participating in violence or threats against civilians, forced displacement, property destruction, or unauthorized property seizures.
- Leading or being an official in entities (including government ones) engaged in these activities.
- Providing material, financial, or technological support to sanctioned persons.
- Committing, attempting, or training for terrorism (defined as violent acts intended to intimidate civilians, coerce governments, or cause mass harm) affecting the West Bank.
- Owning, controlling, or acting on behalf of sanctioned persons.
- Types of Sanctions:
- Asset Blocking: Freezes all U.S.-based or controlled property and interests of sanctioned persons, prohibiting transactions, contributions, or services involving them (authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which gives the President broad economic powers during national emergencies).
- Visa and Entry Restrictions: Makes sanctioned aliens inadmissible to the U.S., ineligible for visas, and revokes existing visas immediately, also canceling related documents. This applies under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- Exceptions and Waivers:
- Sanctions on entry do not apply if needed for U.S. compliance with international agreements (e.g., UN headquarters deal) or if entry aids U.S. law enforcement goals (based on Attorney General recommendation).
- Waivers possible if entry is not against U.S. interests; prior notice to sanctioned persons can be skipped due to national security risks, as it could allow asset transfers.
- Reporting Requirement: The Secretary of the Treasury, with State Department input, must submit quarterly reports to key congressional committees (e.g., House Foreign Affairs, Senate Foreign Relations) detailing implementation and listing sanctioned persons.
- Definitions: Clarifies terms like "entity" (e.g., corporations, groups), "person" (individuals or entities), "U.S. person" (citizens, residents, U.S.-organized entities), and "terrorism" (violent acts aimed at intimidation, coercion, or government disruption).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on the IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1701) by mandating its use for asset blocking without needing a new national emergency declaration specifically for this issue, but applies it narrowly to West Bank-related violence.
- Expands visa revocation powers under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201) to automatically include related documents and allow immediate effect for this context.
- Introduces a new, targeted sanctions regime focused on West Bank stability, distinct from broader counter-terrorism laws like those under Executive Order 13224, by emphasizing settler violence and two-state solution threats rather than general terrorism.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the President, Departments of Treasury (sanctions enforcement), State (visa decisions), and Homeland Security (immigration). Requires ongoing coordination and quarterly reporting, potentially straining resources for monitoring West Bank activities.
- Citizens and Residents: U.S. persons (e.g., citizens, companies) face restrictions on dealings with sanctioned foreign persons, risking penalties for violations. No direct impact on U.S. citizens unless they qualify as foreign persons acting abroad.
- International Relations: Could strain U.S.-Israel ties if sanctions target Israeli settlers or officials, pressuring Israel to curb violence. May bolster U.S. support for Palestinian stability and two-state efforts, affecting aid, diplomacy, and alliances in the Middle East. Broader regional destabilization risks (e.g., to Gaza, U.S. personnel) are aimed to be mitigated.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foreign Persons in the West Bank: Primarily extremist settlers, their leaders, organizations, or supporters involved in violence; also Palestinian civilians facing displacement.
- Israeli Government and Entities: Officials or groups enabling or failing to stop violence could face sanctions, impacting bilateral U.S.-Israel relations.
- Palestinian Communities: Potential benefits from reduced violence and displacement, supporting stability and two-state prospects.
- U.S. Government and Congress: Agencies implement and report; committees oversee, influencing foreign policy.
- Broader Middle East Actors: Regional governments, UN, and international organizations affected by stability changes or U.S. sanctions precedents.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on executive authority under IEEPA for asset freezes, which courts have upheld as constitutional during emergencies, but could face challenges if seen as overreach without due process (e.g., no prior notice). Aligns with existing sanctions frameworks but adds specificity to West Bank issues.
- Constitutional: Potential due process concerns for property blocking without notice, justified by national security urgency; visa revocations may raise Fifth Amendment questions for affected aliens with U.S. ties, though precedents allow broad immigration powers.
- Political: Reinforces U.S. commitment to a two-state solution, signaling bipartisanship (introduced by Democrats but with cross-party support). Could polarize debates on Israel-Palestine policy, influencing elections, aid packages (e.g., to Israel), and international perceptions of U.S. neutrality in the conflict.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]
Cosponsors (156)
Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] and 106 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-04-28: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-28: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-28 — PDF (10 pages)