WASHINGTON, United States: The United States (US) Thursday imposed sanctions on two Israeli outposts and three settlers it accused of undermining stability in the occupied West Bank.
The Biden administration also appealed to Israel to do more to prevent settler violence that Washington says is an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace.
According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, two illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank were used as a base for attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians.
It is the first time U.S. sanctions are slapped against entire outposts and not just against individuals.
The move comes as the Biden administration increases pressure on Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu over a range of issues, including settler violence against Palestinians and the Gaza war.
According to the UN humanitarian office, OCHA, there were nearly 500 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians between 7 October 2023 and 31 January 2024.
“Today, we are taking further action to promote accountability for those perpetuating violence and causing turmoil in the West Bank,” Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesman, said in a statement.
According to the Treasury Department website, the three sanctioned individuals, Neriya Ben Pazi, Zvi Bar Yosef, and Moshe Sharvit, were Israeli citizens in their late 20s and early 30s who were living in the West Bank.
It also announced sanctions against two mixed farming communities, Zvis Farm, situated near the existing settlement of Halamish, and Moshes Farm — also known as Tirza Valley Farm Outpost.
The move freezes any assets linked with the sanctioned individuals and entities, and generally prohibits American citizens from dealing with them.
According to the Palestinian Authority, at least 430 people have been killed at the hands of Israeli forces or settlers since the Hamas attack on October 7 last year.
