US Imposes Sanctions on Israeli Right-Wing Group for Violence Against Palestinians

The United States is set to impose sanctions on the Israeli right-wing organization ‘Shomer Yishuv,’ which operates in illegal settlements in the West Bank, due to its alleged support for violence against Palestinians. The US State Department and Treasury are expected to announce the sanctions, which also target Levi Yitzhak Filant, the security coordinator of the Yitzhar settlement, known for its extreme views. ‘Shomer Yishuv’ has received political and financial support from the Israeli government and is associated with the ‘Hilltop Youth’ and the political parties of Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. The sanctions come amid a rise in violence by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, with recent incidents including a pogrom in the Palestinian village of Jit. The decision highlights the US’s concern over settler violence and its potential to undermine peace efforts in the region.