"We are imposing sanctions on three Israeli individuals and five entities related to acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank," the US State Department said in a statement.
He said the sanctions were imposed on Lehava, an organization led by American appointee Ben Zion Gopstein that has been involved in acts of violent extremism.
"Members of Lehava have engaged in repeated acts of violence against Palestinians, often targeting sensitive or volatile areas," the US State Department said.
He said sanctions were also imposed on four outposts owned or controlled by U.S. appointees who have weaponized them as bases for violent actions to displace Palestinians.
"Outposts such as these have been used to disrupt grazing lands, limit access to wells, and launch violent attacks against neighboring Palestinians," the State Department said.
He said the United States strongly encourages the Israeli government to take immediate steps to hold these individuals and entities accountable.
The department said that in the absence of such measures, it will continue to impose its own accountability measures.
"The financial sanctions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 14115, which imposes certain sanctions on individuals who undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank," he said.
He said the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) simultaneously issued an alert related to the financing of extremist Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
“This alert complements the one issued on February 1, 2024 and provides additional red flags to help US financial institutions identify and report suspicious activities that finance violence in the West Bank,” the US Department said.
He said the United States has consistently opposed actions that undermine stability in the West Bank and the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
He said the sanctions were imposed on Lehava, an organization led by American appointee Ben Zion Gopstein that has been involved in acts of violent extremism.
"Members of Lehava have engaged in repeated acts of violence against Palestinians, often targeting sensitive or volatile areas," the US State Department said.
He said sanctions were also imposed on four outposts owned or controlled by U.S. appointees who have weaponized them as bases for violent actions to displace Palestinians.
"Outposts such as these have been used to disrupt grazing lands, limit access to wells, and launch violent attacks against neighboring Palestinians," the State Department said.
He said the United States strongly encourages the Israeli government to take immediate steps to hold these individuals and entities accountable.
The department said that in the absence of such measures, it will continue to impose its own accountability measures.
"The financial sanctions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 14115, which imposes certain sanctions on individuals who undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank," he said.
He said the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) simultaneously issued an alert related to the financing of extremist Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
“This alert complements the one issued on February 1, 2024 and provides additional red flags to help US financial institutions identify and report suspicious activities that finance violence in the West Bank,” the US Department said.
He said the United States has consistently opposed actions that undermine stability in the West Bank and the prospects for peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
