The United States cracks down on Israeli settlers in the West Bank, labeling them as extremists
The U.S. government has taken a firm stance against Israeli settlers living in the West Bank, accusing them of causing significant hardship and jeopardizing Israel's security. In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the detrimental impact of extremist settlers in the region, emphasizing how their actions not only inflict severe suffering on civilians but also hinder peace and stability.
The restrictions mainly target Hashomer Yosh, a non-profit organization that claims to support farmers in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). The organization is under investigation for backing an unauthorized settlement near Hebron and allegedly obstructing a Palestinian village, forcing its inhabitants to leave.
The U.S. Government also imposes sanctions on an individual responsible for leading roadblocks and patrols aiming to harm Palestinians. Miller emphasized the importance of holding all responsible parties accountable for their violent actions against civilians in the West Bank.
Historically, U.S. sanctions on settlers have focused on limiting their access to the U.S. financial system, pushing Israeli banks to minimize interactions with the sanctioned to avoid penalties. However, until now, the U.S. government had refrained from imposing sanctions on Israeli ministers endorsing settlements in the West Bank.
The conflict between Israel and the Islamic Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza Strip, which dated back to 1967, has only worsened the situation in the West Bank. On Wednesday, the Israeli military conducted a massive operation in the West Bank with the intention of dismantling the Iranian-Islamic terrorist infrastructure. According to the Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz, at least 650 Palestinians have been killed in West Bank operations by the Israeli military or settlers themselves since October 7, 20XX, while at least 19 Israelis have perished due to militant Palestinian attacks.
As a result of the U.S. imposing sanctions on Hashomer Yosh and an individual in the West Bank, the settlers' actions leading to human suffering, disputing the chances for peace and stability in the region, have been directly addressed.
Relevant Insights:
- The U.S. imposes sanctions on individuals and entities involved in extremist settler violence, forced displacement, and property destruction in the occupied West Bank with Executive Order 14115, signed on February 1, 2024.
- The order targets organizations like Amana and individuals, such as David Chai Chasdai, a 29-year-old Israeli settler with a history of violence against Palestinians.
- The Trump administration removed these sanctions, which led to criticisms from the Palestinian Authority.
- Despite the removal, ongoing concerns about settler violence persisted, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reporting a rise in settler violence in 2024.
