President Joe Biden issued an executive order targeting violent Israeli settlers in west bank whom he said have undermined the stability if the region.
This new directive, will put sanctions on many individuals accused of participating in the violent acts. Particularly targeting 4 individuals accused of directly perpetrating violence in West Bank, a senior official said.
Directive also includes people accused of initiating and leading a riot, setting vehicles, buildings, fields etc. on fire and assaulting civilians and damaging state property.
US state department issued names of Israeli targets in an order, blocking their financial assets and their entry in the US, names include David Chai Chasdai, Einan tanjil, Shalom Zicherman and Yinon Levi.
Washington has notified Israel prior to issuing the order
“They had compiled evidence which offers proof of the individuals’ role in the West Bank violence that would withstand judicial review”, including information from news reporting, an official said.
Chasdai initiated and led riot, setting vehicles on fire, assaulting Palestinian civilians, causing property damage in Huwara.
Tanjil assaulted Palestinian farmers and Israeli activists by attacking them with stones and iron rods, resulting in hospitalization, according to a State Department source.
Zicherman, assaulted Israeli activists and their vehicles in the West Bank, blocking them on the street, and attempted to break the windows of passing vehicles with activists inside.” He cornered two activists, injuring both of them, according to a video evidence issued by State department.
Levi “led a group of settlers who engaged in actions creating an atmosphere of fear in the West Bank,” according to the state departments fact sheet. Levi “and other settlers at Meitarim Farm have repeatedly attacked multiple communities within the West Bank.”
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said, the timing of these attack are not clear, the US has no intentions of targeting Israeli government officials with sanctions.
Joe Biden has condemned these in the past, and the issue is discussed personally with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s office said in a statement Thursday that “the sanctions were unnecessary”.
“Israel acts against all lawbreakers everywhere, so there is no room for exceptional measures in this regard,” adding that “the absolute majority” of Israeli settlers in the West Bank “are law-abiding citizens.” PMO said.
This is issued as the President faces criticism from key parts of his coalition for his support to Israel in its war against Hamas. This could also be a signal from Joe Biden towards Muslim and Arab-American voters who are upset with his refusal to call for a ceasefire and not putting enough pressure on Netanyahu.
This policy can be applied to both Palestinians and Israelis who are responsible for attacks in the west Bank and can become a major threat to peace and stability.
The new policy is expected to “impact dozens of individuals and potentially their friends and family members”, Matt Miller spokesperson for the State Department.
“We value and pray for the lives taken and for the families left behind, For all those who are living in dire circumstances, innocent men, women and children, held hostage or under bombardment, or displaced not knowing where the next meal will come from, or if it will come at all.” Joe Biden said showing solidarity to the people of West Bank.
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