West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
The West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025 would authorize the United States to impose targeted sanctions on foreign individuals or entities determined to threaten peace, security, or stability in the West Bank or to undermine prospects for a two-state solution by engaging in or supporting illegal violent acts. The President could block their property, deny or revoke U.S. visas, and bar them from entering the United States, with key exceptions for intelligence activities and humanitarian aid. The bill creates a process for designations, waivers, and potential termination of sanctions, plus regular congressional reporting on designation decisions and the overall situation in the West Bank. It is designed to deter violence against civilians, property destruction, and related acts by leveraging IEEPA-based sanctions while preserving humanitarian channels and international obligations. In short, the bill sets up a sanctions regime aimed at foreign persons tied to violence or support for violence in the West Bank, with tools to block assets, restrict entry to the U.S., and require ongoing reporting, while allowing limited exceptions and potential waivers or termination based on national security or compliance with commitments to peace.
Key Points
- 1Trigger for sanctions: The President must sanction any foreign person who directly or indirectly directs, plans, finances, supports, or engages in acts that threaten West Bank peace and security. This includes violence against civilians, threats to intimidate, displacement efforts, destruction or seizure of private property, or leadership/official roles in entities involved in these activities, as well as individuals involved in terrorism targeting the West Bank.
- 2Sanctions tools: For designated persons, the President can block all property and interests in property (under IEEPA), deny or revoke U.S. visas or other entry documentation, and prohibit transactions by U.S. or foreign persons related to the blocked parties.
- 3Exceptions: The act preserves limited exceptions for authorized intelligence activities, humanitarian assistance (including food, medicine, medical devices, and related transactions), and to comply with international obligations or certain law enforcement goals.
- 4Waivers and termination: The President can waive sanctions for national security reasons. Sanctions can be terminated if the person stops the prohibited activity or takes verifiable steps toward stopping it and provides assurances they will not reengage.
- 5Oversight and reporting: The President must report to Congress within 90 days of enactment and every 180 days thereafter, detailing designations, waivers, acts of violence in the West Bank, and actions by the U.S. and regional partners to reduce violence and property destruction.