U.S. Sanctions Far-Right Israeli Group and Unauthorized West Bank Outposts

The Biden administration imposes sanctions on a far-right Israeli group, four unauthorized West Bank outposts, and three Israeli individuals. The sanctions aim to address violence that destabilizes the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move strains U.S.-Israel relations, especially with Netanyahu's far-right coalition, but underscores America's commitment to a two-state solution.

In a bold move aiming to restore stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the United States imposed sanctions on Thursday against a far-right Israeli group and four unauthorized outposts. The Biden administration also sanctioned three Israeli individuals for actions undermining peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.

The sanctioned group, Lehava, known for its opposition to Jewish assimilation with non-Jews and for inciting violence against Arabs, has drawn ire from both the U.S. and Britain. The U.S. State Department noted that Lehava's activities include repeated acts of violence against Palestinians.

These sanctions follow moves by the Biden administration to hold accountable those involved in violent displacements of Palestinians. Among the targets is Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder of Lehava, and a farm owned by Isaschar Manne which disrupts Palestinian land use. The sanctions freeze U.S. assets of the targeted parties and bar Americans from dealing with them, aiming to pressure Israel into taking corrective actions.

(With inputs from agencies.)