UK sanctions four ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers in West Bank

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.

In a statement on Monday, the UK foreign office said the sanctions were in response to “unprecedented levels” of violence by settlers in the West Bank over the past year, including those who aggressively harassed or intimidated Palestinians to pressure them to leave their land.

The statement said Israel’s failure to act has led to “near total impunity” for the settlers.

The affected individuals were identified as Moshe Sharvit, Yinon Levy, Zvi Bar Yosef, and Ely Federman.

Sharvit and Levy were accused of threatening Palestinian families at gunpoint and destroying property in recent months as part of a “targeted and calculated effort to displace Palestinian communities”.

Yosef, according to the UK, had set up an illegal outpost in the West Bank in 2018, which has been described by local Palestinian residents as a “source of systematic intimidation and violence”.

Federman has been involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills.

The four are subjected to a UK asset freeze and travel and visa ban.

“Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable,” David Cameron, foreign secretary, said.

“Israel must also take stronger action and put a stop to settler violence. Too often, we see commitments made and undertakings given, but not followed through.”

The sanctions followed a similar order earlier this month by US President Joe Biden, who named Levy among four Israel settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.

The sanctions are also a rare move by the UK and the US, Israel’s strongest allies, as the war rages in the Gaza Strip.

However, the support has drawn heavy criticism both internationally and among sections of their domestic populations.

There was no immediate Israeli reaction to the latest sanctions.