State Department: Settler violence has dropped since first sanctions imposed

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says the US has seen a reduction in settler violence since it last imposed sanctions over the issue, but does not think Israel is doing enough to address the issue.

“We have seen the level of extremist settler violence come down somewhat, not come down enough, we want to see more, but the interventions we have made have made a difference,” he says.

Noting that Israel has its own laws against violence, Miller says that “we have seen them take some steps to reign in settler violence but we don’t think those steps have been sufficient.”

Miller says “dozens” of settlers have been hit with visa bans since sanctions were first announced in December, though he is unable to detail how many or if the four individuals sanctioned Thursday are also banned.

He says the sanctions on the four will have an impact on them whether or not they have assets in the US, given the wide reach of the US financial system.

Miller says the US will take additional steps if necessary, but refuses to detail if sanctions on dual US-Israeli citizens will be considered.

“We think it’s important that those involved in [settler violence] be dealt with regardless of nationality,” he says.