The United States is taking action today against three entities and three individuals for the roles they claim in perpetuating violence against civilians or in the destruction or dispossession of property. Their actions, they state, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank and the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned the construction firms 'Amana the Settlement Movement of Gush Emunim Central Cooperative Association Ltd (Amana),' for being 'involved with U.S.-sanctioned individuals and outposts that perpetrate violence in the West Bank and directly is engaged in dispossession of private land owned by Palestinians in its support of settlers.' Amana has also been sanctioned by the United Kingdom and Canada. Sanctions were also imposed on its subsidiary Binyanei Bar Amana Ltd.
''This action, taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14115, is part of an ongoing multilateral approach by the United States and its partners to hold accountable those who are threatening the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank, ''stated the Treasury Department, adding that "We once again call on the Government of Israel to take action and hold accountable those responsible for forced displacement and dispossession of private land. The United States will continue to promote accountability for those who further destabilize conditions in the West Bank and support extremist violence in the region."
''Amana is a key part of the Israeli extremist settlement movement and maintains ties to various persons previously sanctioned by the U.S. government and its partners for perpetrating violence in the West Bank. For example, Amana provided a loan to Israeli settler Isaschar Manne, and served as a partner in the formation of Meitarim Farm. The U.S. Department of State sanctioned Isaschar Manne and Meitarim Farm on July 11, 2024 pursuant to E.O. 14115. The settlers and farms that Amana supports play a key role in developing settlements in the West Bank, from which in turn settlers commit violence. More broadly, Amana strategically uses farming outposts, which it supports through financing, loans, and building infrastructure, to expand settlements and seize land.''
“The United States, along with our allies and partners, remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to facilitate these destabilizing activities, which threaten the stability of the West Bank, Israel, and the wider region,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo.
"Today the U.S. imposed sanctions on six targets for violence against civilians and destruction and dispossession of property in the West Bank. The U.S. urges Israel to take action against those causing human suffering and undermining peace in the region,'' tweeted State Department spokesman Mathew Miller.
This represents the first time that a private company has been sanctioned for its involvement in expanding Israeli construction. Eyal Judean Mountains Company Ltd. was sanctioned at the same time. Eyal Hari Yehuda Company LTD provides vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUVs that have been used in construction activities resulting in the expansion of the physical boundaries of sanctioned entities, including the Meitarim Farm.
Sanctions were also imposed on three individuals. Shabtai Kushlevski was sanctioned for his activities in the organization Hashomer Yosh, which itself has been sanctioned in the past.
Itamar Yehuda Levi was sanctioned for his activities in the construction company Eyal Judean Mountains Company, as well as Zohar Sabah from the town of Mevo'ot Yericho, who was also implicated in the attack on the Al-Ka’abneh elementary school near Jericho in September 2024 which injured several Palestinians at the school.