In a recent White House National Security Council meeting, the potential imposition of sanctions against two hard-line Israeli Cabinet ministers was discussed as part of the Biden administration's response to the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank, according to three US officials. The frustration lies in the Israeli government's policy of expanding settlements and weakening the Palestinian Authority, with certain government members aligning openly with extremist settler groups.

The meeting was prompted by a surge in violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians, alongside an Israeli government decision to plan and construct an additional 5,000 housing units in the settlements and legalize five outposts. The International Court of Justice issued a non-binding opinion stating that Israel had unlawfully annexed significant parts of the Palestinian territories through these settlements, a view consistent with the Biden administration's stance that the settlements violate international law.

Earlier this year, President Biden signed an executive order allowing sanctions on Israeli settlers, yielding two rounds of sanctions thus far. Senior White House officials had initially recommended sanctioning Betzalel Smotrich, the ultranationalist Minister of Finance, and Itamar Ben Gvir, the Minister of National Security. However, President Biden rejected this proposal, citing reluctance to sanction elected officials in democratic countries.

Though their supporters and associates have faced sanctions, Smotrich and Ben Gvir have thus far remained unaffected. During this week's NSC meeting, the idea of sanctioning them resurfaced, but no decision was reached. US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, proposed engaging with Smotrich in the hopes of influencing his behavior rather than boycotting him.

It is crucial to note that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delegated significant authority over the West Bank to Smotrich, who possesses broad powers relating to settlement construction. As a settler himself, Smotrich has openly expressed his intention to render the two-state solution impossible. He has taken various actions to expand settlements, legalize outposts, economically weaken the Palestinian Authority, and support settlers perpetrating attacks against Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Minister Ben Gvir has instructed Israeli police to refrain from intervening when settlers attack Palestinians and not to protect aid convoys en route to Gaza from potential looting by Israeli extremists.

Another proposal discussed during the NSC meeting was overturning the Trump administration's policy of labeling products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank as "made in Israel." Also under consideration is the expansion of US sanctions on settler groups to include non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and entities involved in building settlements and outposts.

The meeting primarily served as a platform for exploring options, and any decisions, including potential sanctions against Smotrich and Ben Gvir, ultimately lie with President Biden. The White House declined to comment on the matter.

Looking ahead, the instability in the West Bank and the Israeli government's role in exacerbating tensions are anticipated to be key issues of discussion during the planned White House meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu next week, according to two US officials.