TUNNELS Act of 2024 Terminating Unlawful Negligence and Nullifying Exemptions and Licenses to Sanctions Act of 2024
If enacted, the bill would effectively prevent any official engagements by U.S. government employees, contractors, or grantees in the aforementioned areas that may be perceived as easing restrictions imposed by the current sanctions. All actions that might have been taken prior to this bill's enactment, which would reduce the application of those sanctions, would also be rescinded, thereby ensuring a stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations.
SB3814, known as the Terminating Unlawful Negligence and Nullifying Exemptions and Licenses to Sanctions Act of 2024 (TUNNELS Act), aims to prohibit actions that would enable the conduct of official United States Government business in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. This legislation is intended to reinforce existing sanctions under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations, thus maintaining strict adherence to U.S. policy towards these geopolitical regions.
Notable points of contention include the balance between U.S. foreign policy interests and the potential consequences on international relations, particularly with local authorities in the West Bank and Gaza. Critics may argue that such restrictions could hinder diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance in the region, while supporters maintain that it is crucial to prevent any practice that might be construed as legitimizing entities associated with terrorism.