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State Department Imposes Financial Sanctions On Israeli Nationals For Threatening Peace In West Bank

via Associated Press
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The U.S. State Department imposed financial sanctions on four Israelis for their involvement in violence and instability in the West Bank.

President Biden’s executive order targets individuals threatening peace and security in the area.

The sanctions come after increased extremist settler violence, including the killing of a 17-year-old American in the West Bank.

“The State Department is today imposing financial sanctions on four Israeli nationals for their destabilizing acts in the West Bank,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated. “Today’s action falls on the steps we took in December to impose visa restrictions on dozens of individuals for…contributing to violence and instability in the West Bank.”

The sanctioned individuals are accused of various violent acts, leading to injuries and property damage.

“There is no justification for extremist violence against civilians, whatever their national origin, ethnicity, or religion,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Israeli officials have defended the majority of settlers as law-abiding citizens, denouncing the accusations as unjust and emphasizing the continuation of settlements.

“The absolute majority of the settlers in the West Bank are law-abiding citizens, many of whom are currently taking part in Israel’s defense,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. “Israel acts against anyone who breaks the law. Therefore, no room for exceptional measures in this regard.”

“If the price is the imposition of American sanctions on me — so be it,” finance minister Benjamin Smotrich said.

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