WASHINGTON — A group of US Senate Democrats will introduce legislation on Wednesday to sanction individuals or groups that facilitate Israel’s E1 project, a widely condemned West Bank settlement plan cutting across land the Palestinians seek for a state, according to a copy of the legislation seen by Reuters.

The introduction of the bill is the latest sign of growing friction between Democrats in Congress and the Israeli government over its handling of the West Bank, with many in the party — and a few Republicans — calling for curbs on US military aid to Israel over its conduct of the war against Hamas in Gaza.

US Democratic lawmakers have also recently urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rein in violence by West Bank settlers and mass arrests of Palestinians by Israeli security forces in the territory.

The measure’s lead sponsors are Chris Coons of Delaware, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

“As Palestinian civilians face a campaign of devastation and fear from violent extremist settlers, the United States must send a strong message that this behavior is unacceptable and that it remains committed to freedom, security, prosperity and self-determination for all Israelis and Palestinians,” Coons said in a statement.

The bill has at least 10 co-sponsors, all Democrats.

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Democrats........

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