The United States Cracks Down on West Bank Settlers, Stirring Israel's Response
The United States has ratcheted up pressure on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, branding them "extremists" that pose a threat to regional peace and security. Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, asserts that the militant actions of these settlers inflict damage on human lives, jeopardize Israel's security, and jeopardize the opportunity for harmonious coexistence and stability in the region.
The new measures put a strain on Hashomer Yosh, a prominent Israeli NGO based in Judea and Samaria, according to its website. Hashomer Yosh supports numerous farmers in the region, using courage to safeguard their lands. However, the U.S. alleges that Hashomer Yosh backs an unauthorized settlement near Hebron in the southern West Bank, and that some of its members have obstructed a village this year, forcing its 250 Palestinian inhabitants to vacate.
The U.S. also sanctions an individual believed to be the mastermind behind roadblocks and patrols with the intent to attack Palestinians. Matthew Miller emphasized the importance of bringing every individual involved in violence against civilians in the West Bank to account.
Conventional American sanctions usually prohibit the individuals from utilizing the U.S. financial system, which means Israeli banks must tread carefully when dealing with the sanctioned persons to avoid incurring sanctions themselves. The U.S. government, however, has not yet targeted Israeli ministers advocating for the West Bank's settlement.
The deteriorating situation in the West Bank has worsened since the start of the conflict between Israel and the Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 1967. As of Wednesday, the Israeli army executed an extensive operation in the West Bank, aiming to dismantle the Iranian-Islamic terrorist network there, as per Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.
According to AFP's tally, based on Palestinian reports, at least 650 Palestinians have lost their lives in the West Bank since Hamas' assault on Israel on October 7. The death toll includes Palestinians killed by Israeli army operations or extremist settler activities. At least 19 Israelis have been slain by militant Palestinian attacks, according to Israeli sources.
The U.S.'s actions against Hashomer Yosh and other radical West Bank settlers have sparked a firestorm within the Israeli government. The U.S.'s stance against unauthorized settlements in the region could potentially sway other countries' policies towards Israel.
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Insights:
The U.S. imposed penalties on Israeli settlers and organizations in the West Bank under Executive Order 14115, signed on February 1, 2024, by President Joe Biden. The sanctions targeted individuals and entities involved in "extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction" in the occupied West Bank. The reasons behind the sanctions included violence and displacement, international law violations, and human rights abuses. The U.S. targeted specific groups and individuals like Amana, David Chai Chasdai, and the Netzah Yehuda Battalion. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move, while some Israeli officials praised it as a "just" course correction from the Biden administration's policy.
Overview:
The U.S. aims to curb violent activities by Israeli settlers in the West Bank with new sanctions, prompting intense reactions within Israel's government. These actions could potentially influence other countries' policies towards Israel. The U.S. allegations against Hashomer Yosh, a non-governmental organization, have sparked a backlash, as they are accused of supporting an unauthorized settlement near Hebron. The U.S. also targets an individual thought to be leading roadblocks and patrols with the purpose of attacking Palestinians. The U.S.’s stance on settler activities in the West Bank has encountered mixed reviews from various sectors, with some supporting the move as a means to combat extreme aggression.
