Britain has stepped up a multi-national campaign against “horrific settler violence” imposed on Palestinians living in the West Bank, imposing major restrictions on movement and businesses. Sanctioned individuals will face asset freezes, travel bans and will also be forbidden to become directors of companies. They include Israeli individuals and an organisation called the “Farms Association,” - or ‘FA’, which has been accused of helping find settler farms and outposts, some linked to violence. Also hit is the organisation Artzenu which promotes and finances settler farms and outposts associated with violence against Palestinians.
Construction firm Eyal Hari Yehuda has been sanctioned as it is a construction and demolition company which has destroyed Palestinian property and land whilst also attacking locals. The individuals include Ahavat Gilad, who is linked to the FA- and who has helped channel donations to settlers.
Itamar Yehuda Levi - owner of Eyal Hari Yehuda Company which is also sanctioned - has been hit after taking part in moves against West Bank Palestinians. The measures are aimed at smashing the flow of finance that has allowed extremist settler groups to act with impunity in the West Bank. There are more than 600,000 settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settlements are Israeli communities in territories acquired by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War that are not under Israeli sovereignty. Israeli settlements previously existed in Sinai and the Gaza Strip prior to Israel’s withdrawal in 1982 and 2005. Today the term ‘settler’ is largely used to refer to Israeli communities in the West Bank.
The Foreign Office and its counterparts in Australia, Canada, France and Norway are joined in condemning attacks. They had already sanctioned Israeli politician Bezalel Smotrich last year, alongside National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Last month, France was among a number of EU states that issued a visa ban against Mr Ben-Gvir after he mocked European activists protesting the treatment of Gazans.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was expected to tell MPs today: “Settler expansion and violence is illegal and a fundamental threat to the viability of a two-state solution, and to long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis. These measures show the UK is leading with our partners to target those who are fuelling this violence. The UK continues to urge the Government of Israel to end settlement expansion, clamp down on settler violence, prosecute those responsible, and lift ongoing restrictions on the functioning of the Palestinian economy. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if the situation does not improve.”
In a statement the joint foreign ministers said: “Extremist violent settlers, with the backing of their supporters, continue to attack Palestinians and abuse their human rights. They use violence to displace Palestinians, destroy property and perpetuate the illegal settlement enterprise, undermining the viability of the State of Palestine and the prospects for peaceful coexistence. For too long, violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity, and settlement expansion and creation of outposts continue with the support and facilitation of the Government of Israel. In some cases, settler violence takes place under the protection of Israel’s security forces.”
