Nov. 18 (UPI) — The Treasury Department on Monday sanctioned an Israeli West Bank settlement development organization and its subsidiary for its alleged connections with violence in the region, mostly against Palestinians that threaten its stability.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control said Amana the Settlement Movement of Gush Emunim Central Cooperative Association Ltd. has already been sanctioned by Britain and Canada for actions of violence that are “threatening the peace, security and stability” of the West Bank.
“The United States, along with our allies and partners, remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to facilitate these destabilizing activities, which threaten the stability of the West Bank, Israel, and the wider region,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said in a statement.
The Treasury said it also sanctioned Amana’s subsidiary Binyanei Bar Amana Ltd., a construction and development company that builds and sells homes in settlements outpost in the West Bank.
In July, the Treasury sanctioned Israeli settler Isaschar Manne and a partner in the formation of Meitarim Farm, another sanctioned entity. The department said Amana provided a loan to Manne to form Meitarim. Settlers from the farm have turned to violence in the West Bank, the Treasury said.
“The United States has consistently opposed violence in the West Bank, as well as other acts that unduly restrict civilians’ access to essential services and basic necessities and risk further escalating tensions and expanding the conflict in the region,” the Treasury Department said in a statement.
“[The] Treasury remains concerned by reports of escalating violence in the West Bank and encourages continued reporting by financial institutions suspicious activity potentially related to the financing of these violent acts.”
