Report: US To Impose Sanctions On Two Settler Outposts, 3 More Settlers

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Biden administration is expected to impose new sanctions on two outposts in Samaria that were allegedly used as a base for attacks by “extremist” settlers against Palestinians, as well as on three other settlers, according to an Axios report Wednesday which cited three US officials.

The sanctions, expected to be imposed as soon as Thursday, are intended to send a message that the US is not only targeting individuals but also entities involved in providing logistical and financial support for attacks against Palestinians, Axios said.

The sanctions would freeze assets the three settlers and two outposts might have in the US, ban them from getting a visa to enter the US, and block them from using the US financial system.

Recently the US imposed sanctions on four individuals accused of attacking Palestinians.

Israel faces increasing international pressure to crack down on settler violence, with both the United States and the United Kingdom recently slapping sanctions on settlers alleged to have carried out attacks on Palestinians.

Israeli finance minister Betzalel Smotrich has called on Israeli banks to ignore the US sanctions and to continue to provide services to the individuals targeted by the Biden administration.

It is “unthinkable” for an Israeli bank to take action against an Israeli citizen following a US decision, Smotrich said.

“I will take action as the finance minister and do what I must,” he said, noting that “if need be, we’ll advance legislation on the matter.”