The settlers are accused of committing human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The UK has announced sanctions against four Israeli settlers accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, following a similar move by the US this month.
The sanctions announced Monday follow what the UK called “unprecedented levels of violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank” over the past year by some residents of illegal Israeli settlements and outposts.
The sanctions represent a rare move by London and Washington against the Israelis as war rages in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The transatlantic allies’ unwavering support for Israeli military operations in the territory has drawn strong criticism both internationally and among parts of their domestic populations.
Announcing the asset freeze and travel and visa ban on settlers, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “Israel must also take stronger action and end settler violence. »
“Too often we see commitments made and commitments made but not followed through,” he added.
Cameron said “extremist Israeli settlers” threaten Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and “force them off land that rightfully belongs to them,” calling the behavior “illegal and unacceptable.”
“Extremist settlers, by targeting and attacking Palestinian civilians, undermine the security and stability of Israelis and Palestinians,” he said.
Two of the sanctioned individuals – Moshe Sharvit and Yinon Levy – have in recent months resorted to physical attacks, threatened families at gunpoint and destroyed property, Cameron’s Foreign Office said.
Their actions are “part of a targeted and calculated effort to displace Palestinian communities,” the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added.
London also targeted Zvi Bar Yosef, who it said had set up an illegal outpost in the West Bank in 2018, described by local Palestinian residents as a “source of systematic intimidation and violence”.
A fourth person sanctioned by London, Ely Federman, was involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Levi was the only one of the quartet to also be targeted by the United States when it imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers for attacking Palestinian communities in the West Bank, accusing them of undermining stability and security in Israel and in the Palestinian territories.
The US sanctions target Levy, David Chai Chasdai and Einan Tanjil, accused of attacking and intimidating Palestinians. They also target Shalom Zickerman, accused of attacking Israeli activists.
The White House also announced a new executive order aimed at penalizing perpetrators of “extremist settler violence” in the West Bank.