By Simon Lewis
The US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli nonprofit and a Jewish West Bank settlement security official in its latest move to address extremist violence against Palestinians. Hashomer Yosh, an NGO that supports settlers, provided material aid to an unauthorized West Bank outpost already under sanctions, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
The official targeted is Yitzhak Levi Filant, a security coordinator at the Yitzhar settlement who led armed settlers in setting up roadblocks and conducting patrols to remove Palestinians from their land. The US government stated that such extremist violence causes suffering, harms Israel's security, and jeopardizes peace in the region.
The sanctions freeze the assets of those involved and prohibit Americans from engaging with them, under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in February. This order has also been used to sanction a Palestinian militant group.
While pro-Israel groups and dual US-Israeli citizens have challenged the order in court, the Biden administration has affirmed that settlements in the West Bank are inconsistent with international law, reversing the stance taken by the previous administration.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has rejected the need for such sanctions, with his ministers criticizing previous sanctions against settlers. The long-standing conflict over the West Bank remains a key issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Analysis:
In summary, the US has imposed sanctions on an Israeli nonprofit and a West Bank settlement official for their involvement in extremist violence against Palestinians. This move is part of a broader effort to address the ongoing conflict in the region and promote peace. The sanctions aim to hold individuals accountable for their actions and prevent further harm to both Palestinians and Israel's security. The situation underscores the complex political dynamics at play in the Middle East and the challenges of finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.