UK Slaps Sanctions on Israeli Settler Groups Amid Rising West Bank Violence

UK enacts sanctions in response to violence from 'extremist Israeli settlers' in West Bank

The sanctions are aimed at three settlements and four groups accused of supporting and committing "egregious violations of human rights" against Palestinian populations in the occupied West Bank, according to the foreign secretary.

Political correspondent @fayebrownSky

Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 8:

David Lammy has declared a new set of sanctions in reaction to aggression from "extremist Israeli settlers" in the West Bank, while condemning the "inaction of the Israeli government" for permitting "impunity to thrive."

The sanctions are directed at three locations and four groups accused of committing "egregious violations of human rights" against Palestinians in the occupied regions, according to the foreign secretary.

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In a recent disclosure, former Prime Minister Lord David Cameron unveiled that the prior Conservative administration had plans to impose sanctions on two Israeli ministers who had made statements in favor of obstructing aid to Gaza.

The latest measures have placed limitations on three settlements, namely Tirzah Valley Farm Outpost, Meitarim Outpost, and Shuvi Eretz Outpost.

The UK authorities have imposed sanctions on four entities. These include Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, a religious institution accused of encouraging violence against non-Jews; Hashomer Yosh, an organization that supplies volunteers to unauthorized settlements; Torat Lechima, a charity that funds these settlements; and Amana, a construction firm involved in their development.

The report highlighted that settler aggression frequently aims to coerce Palestinians into abandoning their residences and relinquishing their land for the establishment of outposts, actions that violate both international and Israeli law.

The United Nations has documented a significant increase in attacks by settlers in the West Bank, noting over 1,400 incidents since the previous October.

Mr. Lammy stated that the new actions will "ensure that those who have assisted and committed such egregious human rights violations are held responsible."

He continued, "The Israeli authorities need to take strong action against settler aggression and halt the expansion of settlements on Palestinian territories. Without holding these aggressive radicals accountable, the UK and other global entities will persist in their interventions."

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Former Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, appointed by Rishi Sunak, revealed to the BBC on Tuesday that he had been developing sanctions against Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in his last days in office.

The ex-leader labeled the pair as "radicals" and suggested that imposing sanctions could serve to "pressure" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into complying with international law.

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He explained that the decision against imposing sanctions was based on advice that such an action would be overly political in an electoral period.

Mr. Smotrich has faced backlash for seemingly implying that withholding food aid from Gaza could be "just and moral," while Mr. Ben-Gvir has supported the growth of unauthorized settlements in the West Bank.

Mr. Lammy criticized both individuals yet refrained from agreeing to penalize them when pressed in a parliamentary debate last month.

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