The US has imposed sanctions on the extremist Hilltop Youth settler group in the West Bank for their violence against Palestinians. Additionally, diplomatic sanctions have been placed on two individuals – Israeli settler Eitan Yardeni and Avichai Suissa, the leader of Hashomer Yosh, a volunteer group on settler farms. These measures include asset freezes and travel bans.
The move by the State Department comes amidst a surge in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, following the Israel-Hamas conflict. Palestinians have reported incidents of harassment, limited movement, and intimidation by settlers. Hilltop Youth has been linked to killings, arson, and “price tag” attacks on Palestinian villages as retaliation for perceived obstacles to settlement construction.
While the effectiveness of sanctions on the loosely organized group remains uncertain, Israel has previously shown support for sanctioned settlers. Both the EU and UK have also sanctioned Hilltop Youth. Critics have questioned the Biden administration’s limited sanctions on Israeli extremists, with only 27 individuals and entities sanctioned since President Biden’s Executive Order earlier in 2024.
Bradley T. Smith of the Treasury Department emphasized the US commitment to holding accountable those involved in destabilizing acts. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller noted that the actions of these individuals contribute to an environment of violence in the West Bank, undermining peace and stability in the region. The US remains dedicated to addressing extremist activities that threaten the region’s security.
Contributions to this report were made by Associated Press writers Julia Frankel and Jack Jeffrey in Jerusalem.