Two Israeli-occupied West Bank settlers, Yinon Levi and David Chasdai, have faced sanctions from the U.S. government for their involvement in violence against Palestinians. The Biden administration imposed sanctions on two entities, Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich, for raising funds for these extremist settlers.
Mount Hebron Fund raised approximately $140,000 from over 3,000 donors worldwide to support Levi and his family. The fundraising campaign was established after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Levi in February for repeatedly leading settler groups that assaulted Palestinians and destroyed their property.
Shlom Asiraich raised approximately $31,000 for Chasdai, who initiated and led a riot resulting in the death of a Palestinian civilian by setting cars and buildings on fire. The fundraising campaign was also established after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chasdai.
The Treasury Department stated that these organizations undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank and will be blocked from using the U.S. financial system, while American citizens are barred from dealing with them.
Additionally, Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder and leader of Lehava, was designated by the State Department for his organization's members assaulting Palestinian civilians.
The West Bank has seen increased violence against Palestinians since the war in nearby Gaza began. The Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had friction over previous sanctions imposed against West Bank settlers.
These sanctions come as part of an executive order issued by President Joe Biden targeting Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory.
