UK sanctions 4 Israeli settlers accused of human rights abuses in West Bank
ABC News
Britain’s government says it is imposing sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank
LONDON -- Britain's government said Monday it is imposing sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of committing human rights abuses against Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Foreign Office said the sanctions were in response to “unprecedented levels" of violence by settlers in the West Bank over the past year, including those who aggressively harassed or intimidated Palestinians to pressure them to leave their land. It said Israel's failure to act has led to “near total impunity” for the settlers.
Officials said Moshe Sharvit and Yinon Levy allegedly threatened Palestinian families at gunpoint and destroyed property in recent months as part of a “targeted and calculated effort to displace Palestinian communities.”
They named Zvi Bar Yosef and Ely Federman as the other two men sanctioned Monday. The four are subjected to a U.K. asset freeze and travel and visa ban.
“Extremist Israeli settlers are threatening Palestinians, often at gunpoint, and forcing them off land that is rightfully theirs. This behaviour is illegal and unacceptable,” Foreign Secretary David Cameron said in a statement.
