The Treasury Department announced sanctions against two entities accused of fundraising for extremist Israeli-occupied West Bank settlers connected to violence against Palestinians, as well as the founder of a group whose members regularly attack Palestinians. Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich were said to have generated tens of thousands of dollars for extremists responsible for property destruction, assaults on civilians, and violence against Palestinians. The announcement came during a period of heightened violence in the West Bank, with extremist settlers carrying out attacks against Palestinians.
The targeted entities, Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich, were accused of raising money for settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai, both of whom had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. government. Levi was alleged to have led settlers in assaulting Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, threatening them to leave their homes, and destroying their property. Chasdai was said to have led a riot resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian. The fundraising campaigns for Levi and Chasdai generated significant amounts of money, according to the U.S. Treasury.
The penalties imposed by the Treasury Department aim to block the entities from using the U.S. financial system and prevent American citizens from engaging with them. Additionally, Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder of Lehava, an organization whose members have assaulted Palestinian civilians, was also designated by the State Department. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo emphasized that such organizations undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, and that the U.S. will continue to hold those responsible accountable.
The announcement of sanctions against these entities and individuals comes amid ongoing tensions between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s far-right government has responded negatively to previous sanctions imposed against West Bank settlers. In February, President Biden issued an executive order targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory. The U.S. government remains committed to addressing violence and extremism in the region.
In conclusion, the Treasury Department’s sanctions against entities fundraising for extremist settlers in the West Bank and the founder of a group attacking Palestinians reflect ongoing efforts to address violence and instability in the region. The targeted individuals and organizations have been implicated in assaults, property destruction, and other violent acts against Palestinians. The U.S. government is using its tools to hold those responsible for such actions to account and to prevent further harm to civilians in the West Bank.
