This week, the United States announced sanctions against two Israeli organizations that had been raising funds for individuals involved in violent activities in the West Bank. The individuals had previously been sanctioned by the US last February for their involvement in riots and attacks against Palestinians. The organizations provided material and financial support to Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai, who were described as “violent extremists” responsible for destruction of property, attacks on civilians, and violence against Palestinians.
The Treasury Undersecretary Wally Adeyemo stated in a press release that these actions seek to hold those responsible for such acts accountable. Two entities, Mount Hebron Fund for Levi and Shlom Asiraich for Chasdai, raised funds before campaigns were removed from the internet and funds retained by financial institutions. US authorities highlighted that both individuals led groups of violent extremists who sought to instill fear among the population of the West Bank by attacking civilians, threatening them to leave their homes, burning fields, and destroying property.
Apart from Levi and Chasdai, US authorities also targeted Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder and leader of an organization whose members have committed violent acts including attacks on Palestinian civilians. The sanctions imposed by the US Administration include freezing the assets of the sanctioned individuals in the US and prohibiting transactions carried out by Americans or on US soil involving these individuals. These measures aim to deter and penalize those involved in such violent actions and are part of the US government’s commitment to promoting peace, security