The United States has taken a bold step by imposing sanctions on an ally of Israel’s far-right national security minister and two entities that raised money for Israeli men accused of settler violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. These actions are part of a series of measures aimed at those Washington blames for escalating violence in the region.
The sanctions target organizations that launched fundraising campaigns to support settlers accused of violence and previously targeted by sanctions. The move freezes any U.S. assets held by those targeted and prohibits Americans from dealing with them, according to the Department of the Treasury.
The Biden administration’s actions against Israeli settlers have caused tension within Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition, particularly among right-wing members who support the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
The sanctions specifically target Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder of the right-wing group Lehava, known for its opposition to Jewish assimilation with non-Jews and its agitation against Arabs in the name of religion and national security. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller cited destabilizing violence in the West Bank as the reason for the sanctions.
The European Union has also agreed to take sanctions against Lehava and other groups linked to violent settlers. The Israeli embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the sanctions.
These actions come amidst a complex relationship between the U.S. and Israel, tested by the war in Gaza and as the Biden administration urges Israel to show restraint in responding to retaliatory strikes by Iran. The sanctions serve as a strong message against extremist violence in the region and highlight the international community’s commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East.