Senate Democrats are preparing to push for a vote on a resolution that would require the Trump administration to provide Congress with a detailed report on Israel’s human rights record in the West Bank. The measure, spearheaded by Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and co-sponsored by 10 Senate Democrats, draws on the Foreign Assistance Act, which permits lawmakers to request information from the State Department regarding the human rights practices of countries receiving U.S. security aid.

The resolution comes amid growing concern within the Democratic Party about violence in the West Bank, particularly toward civilians, including U.S. citizens. It highlights the deaths of at least nine Americans in the region since January 2022, among them Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian American journalist killed in 2022, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot by an Israeli soldier in 2024. Van Hollen criticized what he described as Israeli authorities’ failures to hold perpetrators accountable, as well as the lack of independent American investigations into these incidents.

“If the United States Senate shines a spotlight on this, we will save lives—both American and Palestinian,” Van Hollen said in an interview, emphasizing the urgency of congressional oversight on Israel’s conduct in the occupied territories.

The resolution is privileged, allowing Van Hollen to force a vote despite expected opposition from Republican leadership, potentially leading to a partisan clash that underscores divisions over Israel within the Democratic Party.

Previous efforts to address violence in the West Bank have surfaced in Congress. Last year, Senator Cory Booker introduced the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, co-sponsored by Van Hollen. That bill sought to impose visa and financial sanctions on individuals involved in violence against civilians but stalled in the Republican-led Foreign Relations Committee.

Advocacy groups such as J Street have supported sanctions as a means to disrupt extremist settler networks and militant Palestinian groups, framing such measures as necessary to protect civilians and preserve prospects for a two-state solution. The group cited a 30 percent increase in settler violence during the opening months of 2025 compared to the prior year.

The issue has drawn sharp criticism from Israeli officials as well. Yechiel Leiter, Israel’s ambassador to the United States and a former settler, described extremist settler violence as a damaging “stain” on Israel that risks eroding Washington’s support. He affirmed that the Israeli government was addressing the problem.

The subject gained renewed attention recently following reports of extremist settlers trapping two Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank. One of those is the residence of Louai Abu Ridah, an American citizen. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers’ actions, labeling them “thuggish,” and stated that Israeli Defense Forces and police had taken action to remove those responsible after his intervention. Leiter echoed Huckabee’s remarks, reinforcing that such destabilizing behavior undermines the prospects for settlement in the territory.

According to United Nations data from late July, extremist settlers have carried out roughly 1,380 attacks in 250 communities during 2026, with limited accountability.

Under the proposed resolution, the secretary of state would have 30 days to deliver an unclassified report to congressional committees detailing the U.S. government’s knowledge of the killings, the status of investigations, suspected individuals, and involvement of Israeli security units. The report would also address treatment of Palestinian children held under Israeli military law, including any allegations of torture or mistreatment.

Van Hollen framed the resolution as a critical test of Washington’s enforcement of its human rights laws concerning a close ally. “If we can’t get accountability for American citizens killed in the West Bank,” he said, “how are we actually implementing our human rights laws in relation to the government of Israel?” He concluded, “Enough is enough.”