UK announce sanctions against four Israeli's after attacks in West Bank

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The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has announced sanctions against four Israeli's after 'violent attacks' in the West Bank, Palestine. The Foreign Office say that sanctions are "to tackle continued settler violence which threatens West Bank stability."

The four Israeli's have been described as "extremist" settlers, who have "violently attacked Palestinians in the West Bank". The sanctions will put harsh financial and travel restrictions on the individuals, banning them from entering the UK.

Those now subject to a UK asset freeze, travel and visa ban include:

• Moshe Sharvit: an extremist settler who has threatened, harassed and assaulted Palestinian shepherds and their families in the Jordan Valley. In October 2023, one community of 20 families fled after Sharvit attacked the residents and told them they had 5 hours to leave

• Yinon Levy: leader of the ‘Meitarim Farm’ outpost, founded in 2021, whose settlers have used physical violence and the destruction of property to displace Palestinian communities including Zanuta in October 2023

• Zvi Bar Yosef: a settler leader who, since setting up the ‘Zvi’s Farm’ outpost in 2018, has used intimidation and violence against local Palestinians, including twice threatening at gunpoint young families having a picnic

• Ely Federman: involved in multiple incidents against Palestinian shepherds in the South Hebron Hills

Two of these individuals, Moshe Sharvit and Yinon Levy, have "used physical aggression, threatened families at gunpoint, and destroyed property as part of a targeted and calculated effort to displace Palestinian communities", say the Foreign Office.

Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, says that "extremist settlers", like those sanctioned, "are undermining security and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians".

He continued: Today’s sanctions place restrictions on those involved in some of the most egregious abuses of human rights. We should be clear about what is happening here. Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable. Israel must also take stronger action and put a stop to settler violence. Too often, we see commitments made and undertakings given, but not followed through."