US sanctions 3 Israeli extremist settlers, 2 outposts in occupied West Bank

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US announced new sanctions Thursday against three extremist settlers and two outposts that are subverting the stability in the occupied West Bank.

“​​​​​​​Today, we are taking further action to promote accountability for those perpetuating violence and causing turmoil in the West Bank by imposing sanctions on three Israeli individuals and two associated entities involved in undermining stability in the West Bank,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

“There is no justification for extremist violence against civilians or forcing families from their homes, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, race, or religion,”​​​​​​​ he said.

Miller said the US will 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 State Department identified the settlers as Zvi Bar Yosefk, Moshe Sharvit and Neriya Ben Pazi.

The two entities sanctioned are Zvis Farm, which is established by Bar Yosef and is allegedly used as a “base from which he perpetrates violence against Palestinians and prevents local Palestinian farmers from accessing and using their lands,” according to the State Department.

The other entity is Moshes Farm, which is owned by Moshe Sharvit, who is accused of using the outpost as a “base from which he perpetrates violence against Palestinians.”

Tensions have been high across the West Bank since Israel launched a deadly military offensive against the Gaza Strip after a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 433 Palestinians have since been killed and more than 4,700 injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.

The sanctions came after Israel’s Supreme Planning Council approved the construction last week of 3,500 units in the Jewish-only settlements of Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat and Kedar in the occupied West Bank.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that Jewish-only settlements in the occupied West Bank are in contravention of international law, in a break with former President Donald Trump's reversal of long-standing US policy.

"They’re also inconsistent with international law. Our administration maintains a firm opposition to settlement expansion. And in our judgment, this only weakens -- it doesn’t strengthen -- Israel’s security," he said at a news conference in Argentina.