Britain has intensified a multinational effort against the “horrific settler violence” inflicted upon Palestinians in the West Bank, implementing significant restrictions on movement and businesses. Individuals facing sanctions will encounter asset freezes, travel bans, and prohibitions from serving as company directors. Among those sanctioned are Israeli individuals and the “Farms Association” (FA), accused of supporting settler farms and outposts associated with violence against Palestinians. Additionally, Artzenu, an organization that promotes and finances such settler activities, has also been targeted.
Eyal Hari Yehuda, a construction firm involved in demolishing Palestinian property and attacking locals, has been sanctioned. The sanctioned individuals, including Ahavat Gilad connected to FA, have facilitated donations to settlers. Itamar Yehuda Levi, the owner of Eyal Hari Yehuda Company, has been penalized for actions against West Bank Palestinians. These measures aim to disrupt the financial support enabling extremist settler groups to operate freely in the West Bank, where more than 600,000 settlers reside.
Settlements refer to Israeli communities in territories acquired during the 1967 Six-Day War, not under Israeli sovereignty. The term “settler” now primarily refers to Israeli communities in the West Bank, following previous settlements in Sinai and the Gaza Strip before Israeli withdrawal. The Foreign Office, along with counterparts in Australia, Canada, France, and Norway, have jointly condemned these attacks. Last year, Israeli politicians Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir were sanctioned by several nations for their roles. France recently imposed a visa ban on Mr. Ben-Gvir after he mocked European activists protesting the treatment of Gazans.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to inform MPs that settler expansion and violence pose a severe threat to a two-state solution and long-term peace in the region. The UK, along with its partners, is leading efforts to target those fueling violence and urges Israel to halt settlement expansion, combat settler violence, prosecute offenders, and lift restrictions on the Palestinian economy. Further action may be taken if the situation does not improve.
In a joint statement, foreign ministers emphasized the detrimental impact of extremist violent settlers on Palestinians’ human rights, the illegal settlement enterprise, and the State of Palestine’s viability. They denounced settler violence and expansion, often carried out with Israeli security forces’ support, calling for an end to the impunity enjoyed by violent settlers.