The United States has imposed sanctions on three Israeli settlers and two outposts in the West Bank for their involvement in violence against Palestinians, according to the State Department. The sanctions target individuals and entities that are deemed to be undermining stability in the region.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “Today, we are taking further action to hold accountable those responsible for perpetuating violence and instability in the West Bank. We are imposing sanctions on three Israeli individuals and two associated entities involved in these destabilizing activities.”
Miller emphasized that there is no justification for extremist violence against civilians or the forced eviction of families from their homes, regardless of their background. He affirmed the U.S. commitment to using all available means to ensure accountability for actions that threaten peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.
The sanctioned individuals are identified as Zvi Bar Yosefk, Moshe Sharvit, and Neriya Ben Pazi. The sanctioned entities include Zvi’s Farm, established by Bar Yosef, allegedly used as a base for violence against Palestinians, and Moshes Farm, owned by Moshe Sharvit, accused of similar activities.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated following Israel’s military offensive against the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas. The offensive has resulted in numerous casualties among Palestinians in the occupied territory.
The imposition of sanctions coincides with Israel’s approval for the construction of 3,500 housing units in Jewish-only settlements in the West Bank. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently criticized such settlements, stating that they are inconsistent with international law and weaken Israel’s security rather than strengthening it. This stance represents a departure from the policies of former President Donald Trump, who supported settlement expansion.
