U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Israeli Nonprofit, Settlement Official

The U.S. imposed sanctions on an Israeli nonprofit and a Jewish West Bank settlement security official over extremist violence against Palestinians. The sanctions aim to punish those involved in unauthorized West Bank outposts. This action is in line with President Biden's executive order on West Bank violence.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on an Israeli nonprofit and a Jewish West Bank settlement security official, escalating efforts to curb extremist violence against Palestinians. The announcement was made on Wednesday.

The organization, Hashomer Yosh, claims to provide protection for settlers but has allegedly supported an unauthorized West Bank outpost already under sanction. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller identified the official as Yitzhak Levi Filant, a civilian security coordinator who allegedly led armed settlers in February to intimidate Palestinians.

'Extremist settler violence in the West Bank causes intense human suffering, harms Israel’s security, and undermines the prospect for peace and stability in the region,' Miller stated. The sanctions, enacted under an executive order signed by President Biden, freeze U.S. assets of the targets and bar American dealings with them. Pro-Israel groups are challenging the order in court.