The sanctions apply to Israeli settlers accused of having attacked Palestinian civilians and peace activists in West Bank.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace Israeli peace activists. The executive order imposes financial sanctions and visa bans against four individuals. This is a first round of sanctions.
According to the executive order, these settlers were involved in acts of violence, as well as threats and attempts to destroy or seize Palestinian property. This way, the four are blocked from using the U.S. financial system and American citizens are barred from dealing with them.
U.S. officials said they were evaluating whether to punish others involved in attacks that have intensified the last months since the Israel-Hamas war started.
Joe Biden repeatedly said that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas but has pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to show greater restraint in its military operations aimed at rooting out Hamas.
Netanyahu denounced the U.S. penalties, which his government was notified in advance, U.S. officials said.
Palestinian authorities say some Palestinians have been killed, and rights groups say settlers have torched cars and attacked several small Bedouin communities, forcing evacuations.
