The US State Department on Thursday announced new sanctions against three Israeli settlers and two farms in the occupied West Bank, as the administration takes aim at threats to peace and security in the area.
The latest sanctions follow an executive order signed by President Joe Biden last month aimed at targeting violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank, who he said were undermining stability in the area.
State Department spokesman Matt Miller said that “since the horrific terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, violence in the West Bank has increased dramatically.”
“Today, we are taking new steps to promote accountability for those who perpetuate violence and cause unrest in the West Bank, imposing sanctions on three Israeli individuals and two associated entities involved in undermining stability in the West Bank.”
Miller reiterated the United States' position that “there is no justification for extremist violence against civilians or for forcing families from their homes, regardless of their national origin, ethnicity, race or religion.”
More on US sanctions: One of the sanctioned individuals, Moshe Sharvit, “repeatedly harassed, threatened, and attacked Palestinian civilians and Israeli human rights defenders in the vicinity of MOSHES FARM, an outpost in the West Bank,” according to a State Department fact sheet.
One settlement that was sanctioned, Zvis Farm, “perpetrates violence against Palestinians and prevents local Palestinian farmers from accessing and using their land,” the document said.
Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the US Treasury Department's decision to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank was “further proof that the US government does not understand who the enemy is.” and who is his friend.”
Settler violence: About 500,000 Israeli Jewish settlers live in the West Bank, according to Peace Now, an Israeli rights and monitoring group. Many settlements are heavily guarded and fenced areas that are off-limits to Palestinians.
Most of the world considers the settlements illegal under international law and Israel has been criticized for allowing their expansion.
