WASHINGTON — The US imposed sanctions on Tuesday Hilltop Youtha group of extremist settlers in the Israeli -occupied West Bank who attacks Palestinians and their possessions.
In addition, the State Department has imposed diplomatic sanctions on two men: Israeli settler Eitan Yardeni, for his ties to violence against civilians in the West Bank, and Avichai Suissa, the leader of Hashomer Yosha sanctioned group that takes young volunteers to settler farms across the territory, including small farming posts that rights groups say are key drivers of settler violence across the territory.
The sanctions, which expose people to asset freezes and travel and visa bans, come as violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has exploded since the start of the war. Israel-Hamas warafter the deadly terrorist attacks of October 7.
Palestinians report verbal and physical harassment, restrictions on movement and face intimidation from settlers circling their properties on motorcycles, cars or horses and spying via drones.
The Treasury Department said Hilltop Youth has committed murders and mass arson, while rights groups and Palestinians say the group is behind “price tag” attacks — attacks on Palestinian villages in retaliation for alleged attempts to hinder settlement construction.
It can be difficult to effectively punish the group because it is loosely organized and decentralized. In addition, The Israeli Minister of Finance has previously pledged to intervene on behalf of the sanctioned settlers.
In the past, sanctioned settlers have informed the AP of the measures have had little impact on their finances.
Hilltop Youth has already faced sanctions from the EU and UK.
The Biden administration has been criticized for imposing relatively few sanctions on Israeli extremists. According to the Office of Foreign Assets Control, 27 extremists and entities have been approved by the US President Joe Biden ‘S Implementation decision of February 2024 related to maintaining stability in the West Bank.
Treasury Department Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith said the U.S. “will continue to hold accountable the individuals, groups and organizations that facilitate these hateful and destabilizing acts.”
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that “the actions of these individuals have helped create an environment in which violence and instability thrive. Their actions, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank.”
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Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Jack Jeffrey contributed to this report from Jerusalem.