The British Foreign Secretary has today announced further sanctions on Israelis Britain believes to have been connected with violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. Today’s package includes two groups and four individuals.
According to the UK official statement the two groups "have supported, incited and promoted violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank", and the four individuals are "responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses against these communities".
The statement claims that "The measures follow an unprecedented rise in settler violence in the West Bank over the last year, with the UN recording almost 800 incidents since October".
One is the Hilltop Youth, a youth group that establishes outposts across Judea and Samaria, and the other is Lehava, which works to prevent intermarriage of Jews and Arabs.
The four individuals sanctioned today are:
- Noam Federman: An activist and former leader and spokesperson of the now-defunct Kach party.
- Neria Ben Pazi: Has established three farms in Judea and Samaria since 2015.
- Eden Levi: Accused of the beating and sexual assault of Palestinians on 12 October 2023.
- Elisha Yered: An unofficial spokesperson for Hilltop Youth.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said: ''Extremist settlers are undermining security and stability and threatening prospects for peace. This latest package of sanctions targets two groups leading these attacks, and four individuals who are directly responsible for egregious violence against Palestinian civilians. The Israeli authorities must clamp down on those responsible. The UK will not hesitate to take further action if needed, including through further sanctions.''
Today’s measures impose financial restrictions on the entities and individuals, and travel restrictions on the individuals.