From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
US sanctions settler outpost support organization that gets ministerial funding
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration issues its sixth batch of sanctions over settler violence in the West Bank, targeting a group that violently secures illegal outposts and a civilian security guard for a flashpoint settlement who engaged in attacks against Palestinians.
The US sanctions against Hashomer Yosh (Guardians of Judea and Samaria) and Yitzhak Levi Filant comes days after two violent settler rampages through Palestinian towns in the West Bank that left a pair of Palestinians dead.
No arrests were made in the most recent attack near Bethlehem. Indictments in such cases are highly rare and convictions even more so.
The head of the Shin Bet security service has been quoted lamenting in private meetings that the Israel Police overseen by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir is refusing to crack down on the phenomenon.
The lack of Israeli enforcement has led a handful of Western countries — led by the US — to begin issuing their own sanctions against Israeli extremists. US President Joe Biden issued an executive order giving him authority to levy such sanctions in February, and 11 individuals and 11 entities have been designated since.
The Hashomer Yosh organization arranges for volunteers to provide help and support for at least 26 illegal farming outposts in the West Bank, among other activities.
At least two of the illegal outposts that the organization supports, Meitarim Farm and Moshe’s Farm, are run by US-designated individuals. The group has also provided support for Yinon Levi, Neriya Ben Pazi and Zvi Bar Yosef, who have all been designated by the US for their involvement in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
After all 250 Palestinian residents of Khirbet Zanuta in the West Bank were forced to leave in late January, Hashomer Yosh volunteers fenced off the village to prevent thems from returning. The volunteers also provided support by grazing the herds and guarding the outposts of US-designated individuals, the State Department says.
Hashomer Yosh has received over NIS 8 million ($2.2 million) from the Agriculture Ministry and the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Ministry since 2018 for its activities.
Filant is the chief security officer of the Yitzhar settlement. Although his role is akin to a security or law enforcement officer, he has engaged in malign activities outside the scope of his authority, the State Department says.
“In February 2024, he led a group of armed settlers to set up roadblocks and conduct patrols to pursue and attack Palestinians in their lands and forcefully expel them from their lands,” its announcement adds.
“Extremist settler violence in the West Bank causes intense human suffering, harms Israel’s security, and undermines the prospect for peace and stability in the region,” the State Department sanctions announcement asserts.
“It is critical that the Government of Israel hold accountable any individuals and entities responsible for violence against civilians in the West Bank.”
