The Biden administration is facing a federal lawsuit over what some are calling illegal sanctions against American citizens living in Israel and the West Bank. The National Jewish Advocacy Center (NJAC), alongside two law firms, filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, contesting the constitutionality of Executive Order 14115, which imposes sanctions on individuals deemed to be undermining peace in the West Bank.
This lawsuit follows a similar challenge against these sanctions, which many critics argue specifically target Jewish individuals, including American citizens such as Levi Yitzchak Pilant and Issachar Manne. Supporters of the lawsuit assert that these measures violate the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens living abroad.
In February 2024, amid rising tensions following a terrorist attack in Israel, President Biden established the executive order to sanction those viewed as threats to peace and stability in the West Bank. However, the sanctions have led to frozen bank accounts and canceled credit cards for those affected, which critics contend further marginalizes Jewish individuals who disagree with the administration’s policies.
The executive order allows for sanctions against “foreign persons” involved in actions conflicting with U.S. policy in the West Bank. However, the lawsuit claims that these provisions are disproportionately affecting Jews in those regions. Mark Goldfeder, the CEO of NJAC, emphasized that targeting individuals based solely on their identity in a region is deeply troubling and akin to discrimination.
The lawsuit also highlights concerns about the lack of thorough investigations by the State Department, suggesting that decisions were based on biased reports from organizations with anti-Israel agendas. Pilant has denied the accusations against him, arguing that he has never engaged in violence. Meanwhile, Manne’s legal team asserts that his farming activities do not violate any laws regarding land ownership in the West Bank.
Both individuals argue that the sanctions have severely impacted their financial well-being and their reputations. Legal experts supporting the lawsuit claim the government’s actions stem from a flawed belief that certain lands are exclusively “Palestinian,” effectively criminalizing Jewish presence in those areas.
The NJAC’s litigation counsel pointed out that the executive order appears politically motivated and fails to recognize the legitimate threats faced by Israeli citizens daily. They argue that the administration’s actions create hardships for individuals who are actually engaged in protecting their communities.
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises critical questions about U.S. policy in the region and the treatment of American citizens abroad.
