Van Hollen Statement on American Citizen Killed in West Bank

“The Netanyahu Government – including racist extremists like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir – has fueled settler violence in the West Bank at the same time that it has announced new illegal settlements. The United States cannot turn a blind eye to these actions – including the killing of American citizens. To date, the U.S. has not received satisfactory responses from the Netanyahu Government about the two other Americans killed in the West Bank since October 7th, and the Biden Administration has not been doing enough to pursue justice and accountability on their behalf. I have repeatedly raised these concerns with the Administration, including when I met with Ambassador Jack Lew during my recent trip to the region – where I also met with the families of those Americans killed – as well as in two letters to Secretary Blinken and in further meetings with the Department of State. The Biden Administration must do more to hold the Netanyahu Government accountable and use American influence to demand the prosecution of those responsible for harm against American citizens. If the Netanyahu Government will not pursue justice for Americans, the U.S. Department of Justice must.”