Senate blocks resolution demanding report on West Bank killings of US citizens

Overview

Updated Oct 18

The Senate voted 47-51 in late September to block a resolution that would have forced the State Department to report on the killings of nine American citizens in the West Bank by Israeli settlers or security forces since 2022. Days later, the New York Times reported that a US Embassy official in Israel suppressed a staff report that said no one had been held accountable for any of the deaths.

Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen, who sponsored the resolution, asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Oct. 9 to hold a hearing into what he calls an obstruction of Congress. The committee's Republican chairman, Jim Risch, has not scheduled one.

Why it matters

Nine American citizens killed in the West Bank since 2022 have no congressional accountability, and this vote ensures that continues.

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Key Indicators

47-51

Senate vote on the resolution

The motion to discharge the resolution failed 47-51, with Rand Paul the only Republican in favor and John Fetterman the only Democrat against.

US citizens killed in West Bank since 2022

The resolution cited nine American citizens killed by Israeli settlers or security forces since 2022.

People held accountable for the nine killings

The suppressed embassy report said no one had been held accountable for the killings of US citizens in the West Bank, per New York Times reporting.

93%

Settler violence investigations closed without indictment

Yesh Din data cited in the resolution shows 93% of 1,685 police investigations into settler violence ended without indictment.

1,828

Settler attacks against Palestinians in 2025

UN figures cited in the resolution recorded 1,828 settler attacks in 2025 that resulted in casualties or property damage.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Chris Van Hollen

US Senator from Maryland

Demanding a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing into the reported embassy cover-up

John Fetterman

US Senator from Pennsylvania

Voted against the resolution

Rand Paul

US Senator from Kentucky

Voted in favor of the resolution

Marco Rubio

US Secretary of State

Would have been required to produce the report

David Milstein

Senior adviser to US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee

Accused by the New York Times of suppressing an embassy report on the killings of US citizens

Mike Huckabee

US Ambassador to Israel

Named in New York Times reporting on obstructed congressional inquiries

Jim Risch

Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Has not scheduled a hearing despite Van Hollen's Oct. 9 request

Organizations Involved

United States Senate

Legislative chamber

Voted 47-51 to block the resolution

The upper chamber of the US Congress, which voted along largely party lines to block the resolution.

U.S. Department of State

Federal agency

Would have been required to produce the report

The federal agency that would have had 30 days to report on the West Bank killings had the resolution passed.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Congressional committee

Risch has not scheduled a hearing despite Van Hollen's Oct. 9 request

The committee where S.Res. 852 remains after the Senate voted not to discharge it.

US Embassy in Israel

Diplomatic mission

Accused of obstructing congressional inquiries into the killings of US citizens

The US diplomatic mission in Israel, accused by the New York Times of suppressing a report on the killings of US citizens in the West Bank.

Timeline

February 2025 October 2026

5 events Latest: October 9th, 2026 · 1 month ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Van Hollen demands Senate hearing into alleged cover-up
Latest Statement

Van Hollen called on Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch to hold a hearing into what he called a cover-up by the US Embassy in Israel, citing the New York Times report.
October 9th, 2026
NYT reports embassy official suppressed report on killings
Investigation

The New York Times reported that David Milstein, a senior adviser to Ambassador Mike Huckabee, suppressed an embassy staff report that said no one had been held accountable for the killings of US citizens in the West Bank.
October 8th, 2026
September 2026
Senate blocks West Bank accountability resolution
Vote

The Senate votes 47-51 against discharging S.Res. 852 from committee, blocking the resolution.
September 30th, 2026
August 2026
Resolution S.Res. 852 introduced
Legislation

Van Hollen, Kaine, and Sanders introduce the resolution demanding a State Department report on West Bank violence.
August 31st, 2026
February 2025
Mohammed Ibrahim, 16-year-old American, arrested in West Bank
Arrest

The Florida teenager spent nine months in pre-trial detention, a case cited in the resolution.
February 2025

Scenarios

Democrats win Senate, resolution passes in new Congress

Possible Resolves by Jan 3, 2027

Discussed by: Polls cited by the Jerusalem Post suggest Republicans could lose their congressional majorities in November

If Democrats gain control of the Senate in the November 3 midterms, they could bring S.Res. 852 or a similar resolution back to the floor in the new Congress. The resolution would likely pass with a Democratic majority, forcing the State Department to produce the report.

State Department issues voluntary report

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 20, 2027

Discussed by: Not specifically predicted by any source, but a possible administration response

The administration could choose to produce a report on the nine deaths without being compelled by Congress, either to defuse the issue or in response to international pressure. This would give Van Hollen and his co-sponsors what they sought without a legislative victory.

Resolution dies in committee

Likely Resolves by Jan 3, 2027

Discussed by: The resolution remains in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after the failed discharge vote

If Republicans retain control of the Senate after the November midterms, the resolution is unlikely to be brought to the floor. It would die at the end of the 119th Congress on January 3, 2027, without further action.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds hearing on embassy suppression

Unlikely Resolves by Jan 3, 2027

Discussed by: Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who requested the hearing on Oct. 9

Van Hollen asked chairman Jim Risch to hold a hearing into the New York Times report that David Milstein suppressed an embassy report on the killings of US citizens. Risch had not responded publicly as of mid-October.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1970s

Section 502B of the Foreign Assistance Act (1976)

Congress added Section 502B to the Foreign Assistance Act in the 1970s as part of post-Vietnam human rights reforms. The provision lets either chamber of Congress demand a State Department report on the human rights practices of any country receiving US military aid.

Then

The provision gave Congress a tool to scrutinize human rights practices of aid recipients.

Now

It has been used sparingly over the decades but remains a standing mechanism for congressional oversight of foreign aid.

Why this matters now

Van Hollen invoked this exact provision to force the vote on the West Bank resolution.

Since 1948