US sanctions more Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians

The United States has imposed sanctions on three Israeli settlers and two associated entities involved in attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

The State Department said the designations are against those targeted for ‘undermining stability in the West Bank’ and warned it ‘continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for those engaging in actions that threaten the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank.’

The action  targets Zvi Bar Yosef, Moshe Sharvit and Neriya Ben Pazi, all for violence against Palestinians. Zvis Farm, owned by Yosef, and Moshes Farm, owned by Sharvit, were designated for being used as bases for the attacks.

‘It is critical that Israel take additional action to stop settler violence and hold accountable those responsible for it, not just for the sake of the victims of this violence, but for Israel’s own security and standing in the world,’ Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

The State Department announced a related visa restriction policy on 5 December, as well as its first sanctions against extremist settlers under Executive Order 14115, on 1 February.

France, the United Kingdom and Canada have all imposed sanctions on extremist Israeli settlers for violence against Palestinians, as Israel continues its military operation in Gaza, where the death toll now tops 30,000, the majority civilians and many of them children.