The US on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Hilltop Youth, a group of extremist settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank known for their attacks on Palestinians and their property, The Associated Press reports.
The move comes amidst a surge in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank following the recent Israel-Hamas war.
The Treasury Department designated Hilltop Youth as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), freezing their assets and barring US citizens from engaging in transactions with them. The department cited the group’s involvement in killings, mass arson, and “price tag” attacks – violent acts against Palestinian villages in retaliation for perceived efforts to hinder settlement construction.
The sanctions also target two people: Eitan Yardeni, for his connection to violence against West Bank civilians, and Avichai Suissa, the leader of Hashomer Yosh, a group that brings young volunteers to settler farms across the territory. Hashomer Yosh has been previously sanctioned for its role in facilitating the expansion of settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law.
The Biden administration has been criticized for not imposing sanctions on Israeli extremists more aggressively. This latest action is only the second time the US has imposed sanctions on a settlement-related group.
Despite past criticism, the administration insists that the sanctions will help curb the violence in the West Bank.
“The actions of these individuals have contributed to creating an environment where violence and instability thrive,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller. “Their actions, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.”
However, some experts believe that the sanctions may be ineffective in curbing the activities of Hilltop Youth, which operates in a decentralized and loosely organized manner. Furthermore, Israel’s finance minister has previously stated that he would intervene on behalf of any sanctioned settlers.
The Hilltop Youth group has previously faced sanctions from the European Union and the United Kingdom. The group’s response to these sanctions has been minimal, with members claiming they had little financial impact.
