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| UK sanctions four Israeli settlers accused of violence | UK sanctions four Israeli settlers accused of violence |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Soldiers inspect cars burned by Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir on 26 May 2023 | Soldiers inspect cars burned by Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Al-Mughayyir on 26 May 2023 |
| The UK has imposed sanctions against four "extremist" Israeli settlers it has accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. | The UK has imposed sanctions against four "extremist" Israeli settlers it has accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. |
| The Foreign Office announced financial and travel restrictions against the four who it says have committed human rights abuses against Palestinians. | The Foreign Office announced financial and travel restrictions against the four who it says have committed human rights abuses against Palestinians. |
| Lord Cameron also called on Israel to take action to end the violence. | Lord Cameron also called on Israel to take action to end the violence. |
| West Bank violence has surged since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October. | West Bank violence has surged since the start of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October. |
| At least 384 Palestinians - members of armed groups, attackers and civilians - have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, or in Israel, according to the UN. | At least 384 Palestinians - members of armed groups, attackers and civilians - have been killed in conflict-related incidents in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, or in Israel, according to the UN. |
| During the same period, 10 Israelis, including four security forces personnel, have been killed. | During the same period, 10 Israelis, including four security forces personnel, have been killed. |
| The Foreign Office says some residents in settlements and unauthorised outposts have used harassment, intimidation and violence to put pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their land. | The Foreign Office says some residents in settlements and unauthorised outposts have used harassment, intimidation and violence to put pressure on Palestinian communities to leave their land. |
| Approximately 700,000 Jewish people live in 160 settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and 144 outposts, according to settlements watchdog Peace Now. | Approximately 700,000 Jewish people live in 160 settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and 144 outposts, according to settlements watchdog Peace Now. |
| The settlements were built by previous Israeli governments after Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, while the smaller outposts have been built without official authorisation. | The settlements were built by previous Israeli governments after Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967, while the smaller outposts have been built without official authorisation. |
| The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements and outposts illegal under international law, though Israel and the US dispute this interpretation. | The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements and outposts illegal under international law, though Israel and the US dispute this interpretation. |
| Settlers are a powerful force in Israeli politics and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government depends on their support. | |
| But western powers fear they could trigger an escalation in this conflict and these sanctions, along with ones imposed last week by the US, serve as a warning that international patience is growing thin. | |
| Among those subject to UK travel bans and financial restrictions are settlers accused of threatening families at gunpoint and destroying property as part of a targeted campaign to displace Palestinian communities. | Among those subject to UK travel bans and financial restrictions are settlers accused of threatening families at gunpoint and destroying property as part of a targeted campaign to displace Palestinian communities. |
| US sanctions Israeli settlers over West Bank violence | |
| Divided communities in the West Bank | |
| Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: "Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable. | Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: "Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable. |
| "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." | "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." |
| He added extremist settlers were "undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians". | He added extremist settlers were "undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians". |
| The Foreign Office has named the four settlers and described the accusations against them. | The Foreign Office has named the four settlers and described the accusations against them. |
| Moshe Sharvit is accused by the UK of threatening, harassing and assaulting Palestinian shepherds and their families in the Jordan Valley. | Moshe Sharvit is accused by the UK of threatening, harassing and assaulting Palestinian shepherds and their families in the Jordan Valley. |
| In October 2023, he is said to have forced a community of 20 families to flee after he allegedly attacked residents and said they had five hours to leave. | In October 2023, he is said to have forced a community of 20 families to flee after he allegedly attacked residents and said they had five hours to leave. |
| Yinon Levy, leader of an outpost farm, has been sanctioned after using physical violence and the destruction of property to displace Palestinian communities, the Foreign Office statement says. | Yinon Levy, leader of an outpost farm, has been sanctioned after using physical violence and the destruction of property to displace Palestinian communities, the Foreign Office statement says. |
| Zvi Bar Yosef, also sanctioned, is behind an outpost described by local Palestinian residents as a "source of systematic intimidation and violence", the government said. | Zvi Bar Yosef, also sanctioned, is behind an outpost described by local Palestinian residents as a "source of systematic intimidation and violence", the government said. |
| A fourth Israeli sanctioned, Ely Federman, has been accused of being involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills. | A fourth Israeli sanctioned, Ely Federman, has been accused of being involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills. |
| Between the 7 October attacks and 5 February, 506 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians were recorded by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. | Between the 7 October attacks and 5 February, 506 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians were recorded by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. |
| The Foreign Office has accused Israel of failing to act, leading to "an environment of near total impunity" for extremist settlers in the West Bank. | The Foreign Office has accused Israel of failing to act, leading to "an environment of near total impunity" for extremist settlers in the West Bank. |
| The UK says it is continuing to call for Israel to take action against those responsible for settler violence, release frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority and halt settlement expansion. | The UK says it is continuing to call for Israel to take action against those responsible for settler violence, release frozen funds to the Palestinian Authority and halt settlement expansion. |
| The move comes after the US approved sanctions last week on Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. | |
| Shortly after President Joe Biden signed the executive order, Israel signalled its dissatisfaction and described the majority of West Bank settlers as "law-abiding". | Shortly after President Joe Biden signed the executive order, Israel signalled its dissatisfaction and described the majority of West Bank settlers as "law-abiding". |
| "Israel takes action against all law-breakers everywhere, and therefore there is no need for unusual measures on the issue", a statement from Mr Netanyahu's office said. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Middle East | Middle East |
| Israel & the Palestinians | Israel & the Palestinians |
| Israel | Israel |
| Palestinian territories | Palestinian territories |
| West Bank | West Bank |