The United States has announced sanctions on three Israeli individuals and five entities linked to acts of violence against civilians in the West Bank. This action aligns with the U.S.'s consistent opposition to activities that undermine stability and peace prospects for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Among those targeted is Lehava, an organization led by U.S.-designated Ben Zion Gopstein, known for its involvement in violent extremism. Members of Lehava have engaged in repeated acts of violence against Palestinians, often focusing on sensitive or volatile areas. Additionally, sanctions have been imposed on four outposts owned or controlled by U.S.-designated individuals who have used them as bases for violent actions aimed at displacing Palestinians. These outposts have disrupted grazing lands, limited access to wells, and launched attacks against neighboring Palestinian communities.
The United States remains deeply concerned about extremist violence and instability in the West Bank, which it believes undermines Israel’s own security. The U.S. government strongly encourages the Government of Israel to take immediate steps to hold these individuals and entities accountable. In the absence of such measures from Israel, the U.S. will continue imposing its own accountability measures.
These financial sanctions were enacted under Executive Order 14115, “Imposing Certain Sanctions on Persons Undermining Peace, Security, and Stability in the West Bank.” Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert related to financing Israeli extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. This alert supplements one issued on February 1, 2024, providing additional red flags to help U.S. financial institutions identify and report suspicious activities that finance West Bank violence.
For more information, please refer to the Department of State’s fact sheet and FinCEN Alert. Financial institutions with questions about today's supplemental alert should contact FinCEN Regulatory Support Section at frc@fincen.gov.
