US sanctions far-right Israeli group and settlement outposts over West Bank violence
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Monday, November 18, 2024
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Image: TUBS.
The United States has imposed sanctions on a far-right Israeli group and several unauthorised settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank. The move, announced by the United States Department of the Treasury, targets activities viewed as destabilizing the region and undermining prospects for peace.
The latest United States sanctions target Amana (organization) along with its subsidiary Binyanei Bar Amena Ltd., a private company heavily involved in the expansion of Israeli settlement and the establishment of illegal Israeli outpost in the West Bank. Previously, Amana was also sanctioned by Britain and Canada for its destabilising activities, such as seizing Palestinian land to support Israeli settlers. The sanctions block Americans from any transactions with Amana and freeze its assets within the U.S. financial system.
In a broader move, the State Department also slapped diplomatic sanctions on Eyal Hari Yehuda Co., which supplies logistical support to these sanctioned groups, and its owner, Itamar Yehuda Levi. Alongside them, Shabtai Koshlevsky, a co-founder of the already sanctioned nonprofit group Hashomer Yosh, and Zohar Sabah, an Israeli citizen accused of committing violent acts against Palestinians, were added to the sanctions list.
State Department's Matthew Miller (spokesperson) described Amana as the largest organization engaged in settlement and illegal outpost development, emphasizing the U.S.’s call for the Israeli government to hold accountable those responsible for Israeli settler violence, forced displacement, and land dispossession.
The sanctions are part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to address extremist violence and its impact on regional security, amid growing pressure from U.S. lawmakers to take stronger action against those contributing to instability in the West Bank.
Sources
edit- Susan Heavey and Simon Lewis. "US hits Israeli settler group with sanctions over West Bank violence" — Reuters, November 18, 2024
- Fatima Hussein and Julia Frankel. "US sanctions group that builds illegal West Bank settlements, with close ties to Israeli government violence" — AP, November 18, 2024
- Barak Ravid. "U.S. sanctions companies that build settlements in occupied West Bank" — Axios, November 18, 2024