Four Israeli 'extremist settlers' slapped with UK sanctions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Feb 2024 18:58
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The United Kingdom Foreign Secretary announces that four Israeli "extremist settlers" were sanctioned for causing "unprecedented levels of violence" across the West Bank in the past year.

In this May 19, 2012 file photo, a Palestinian throws a stone at an armed Israeli settler invading a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, Palestine. (AP)

Following in the footsteps of the United States of America, the United Kingdom Foreign Secretary has announced "sanctions on 4 extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank."

The UK said the decision followed "unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank over the past year."

The sanctions comprise a UK asset freeze alongside travel and visa bans.

On his part, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said, "Israel must also take stronger action and put a stop to settler violence," adding that "too often, we see commitments made and undertakings given, but not followed through."

Cameron even went far enough to admit that "extremist Israeli settlers" have been threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and "forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs," branding the behavior "illegal and unacceptable."

Drawing an allegedly distinct line between Israeli settlers and "extremist settlers", Cameron underscored that "extremist settlers, by targeting and attacking Palestinian civilians, are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians."

'Israel' troubled by US sanctions on MKs, forces, settlers in W. Bank

The Israeli occupation's Kan public broadcaster cited an internal Foreign Ministry memorandum that the United States will issue sanctions backed by the Leahy laws against settlers, forces, and ministers if "Israel" does not hand over an explanation for the "gross violations of human rights" in the occupied West Bank within 60 days.

The memorandum was reportedly penned by representatives from the Foreign Ministry and the IOF's Military Advocate Corps to whom US State Department officials have expressed concern by the Biden administration regarding the settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

With that being said, the Leahy laws are US statutory provisions forbidding aid to foreign military units given "credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights."

The Kan report stated that Israeli occupation soldiers, members of the Knesset, ministers, and settlers in the West Bank suspected of the violations will be affected by the sanctions if put into place.

Kan diplomatic correspondent Suleiman Maswadeh said the occupation's officials are "very, very worried" regarding the possibility of sanctions, which is due to be discussed next week.

It is worth noting that the possibility of sanctions by the US has been constantly brought up for the past two months, but it has been all bark and no bite.