UK sanctions extremist groups, individuals for violence in West Bank

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: UK Government
3 May 2024 20:07

The sanctions follow a previous package announced in February and aim to hold accountable those directly involved in human rights abuses.

Smoke fills the sky after Israeli settlers set fire to the properties of Palestinian villagers in the West Bank village of al-Mughayyir, Saturday, April 13, 2024 (AP)

This press release from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office outlines new sanctions imposed on extremist groups and individuals involved in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

The measures target those responsible for inciting and perpetrating violence against Palestinian communities, thus reflecting a response to an unprecedented increase in settler violence over the past year.

The sanctions follow a previous package announced in February and aim to hold accountable those directly involved in human rights abuses.

There have been at least 800 incidents of settler violence in the West Bank since October, according to the @UN.

Today’s sanctions target organisations and individuals supporting, inciting, engaging in and promoting these attacks.

Find out more⤵️ https://t.co/JKv7QwUXvJ
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) May 3, 2024

The sanctioned groups include Hilltop Youth, known for establishing illegal settler outposts with the mission of expelling Palestinians, and Lehava, which facilitates violence against Palestinian communities.

Four individuals are also targeted, including Noam Federman, who has trained settler groups in violence against Palestinians, and Neria Ben Pazi, responsible for illegal construction and violence against Bedouin and Palestinian communities.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron stressed the need to address extremist settlers undermining security and peace prospects.

He stated that the sanctions aim to target groups leading attacks and individuals responsible for violence against Palestinian civilians. The measures include financial and travel restrictions on the sanctioned entities and individuals.

"Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace. This latest package of sanctions targets 2 groups leading these attacks and 4 individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians. The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions," Cameron is quoted as saying.

This marks the second UK sanctions package targeting individuals involved in settler violence in the occupied West Bank, with the first announced in February.

The press release provides definitions of asset freeze and travel ban, while further outlining the implications for UK citizens and businesses dealing with designated persons.

How does the UK protect "Israel" from war crimes?

A report by Declassified UK on Thursday detailed that the Conservative Party has repeatedly protected Israeli politicians, spies, and forces from arrest on charges of committing war crimes when they visit Britain.

According to the report, Benjamin Netanyahu and war cabinet member Benny Gantz were among 10 Israeli officials who “received special immunity from prosecution.”

On March 6, the Foreign Office issued a "special mission" certificate to Israeli war minister Benny Gantz, who was traveling to Britain to meet with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

General Herzi Halevi, the current commander of the IOF who has authorized preparations for an attack on Rafah, was granted permission to visit the UK while serving as military intelligence director.

Israeli authorities have become more anxious in recent weeks since reportedly the names of Netanyahu, Security Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have been circled as suspects of war crimes that the ICC will look to prosecute.

The British government allowed dozens of Israeli diplomats "special mission" immunity, allowing them to visit the UK without fear of arrest for their accusations of serious violations of international law.

Then Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed that Britain could not be in a "position where Israeli politicians feel they cannot visit this country," essentially proving the law was altered for Israeli officials.

According to Declassified, this might violate Britain's commitment to universal jurisdiction laws such as the Rome Statute, which allows the most serious crimes to be tried regardless of where they occurred.