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BumRushDaShow

(129,064 posts) Thu Mar 14, 2024, 04:53 AM Mar 14

Scoop: U.S. expected to impose new sanctions against occupied West Bank outposts

Source: Axios

5 hours ago

The Biden administration is expected to impose new sanctions as soon as Thursday on two illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank that were used as a base for attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians, three U.S. officials told Axios.

Why it matters: It would be first time U.S. sanctions are imposed against entire outposts and not just against individuals.

The move comes as the Biden administration ratchets up pressure on the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over a range of issues, including settler violence against Palestinians and the war in Gaza.
There were nearly 500 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians between Oct. 7 and Jan. 31 of this year, according to the UN humanitarian office (OCHA).

Driving the news: The second round of sanctions by the Biden administration to counter settler violence will also include sanctions against three Israeli settlers, the U.S. officials said.

A U.S. official said the sanctions against the two outposts are meant to send the message that the U.S. is targeting not only individuals but also entities that are involved in giving logistical and financial support to attacks against Palestinian civilians.
The sanctions would freeze assets the three settlers and two outposts might have in the U.S., ban them from getting a visa to enter the U.S. and block them from using the U.S. financial system.
The State Department didn't immediately respond to questions about the new sanctions.