The Department of State has announced sanctions on two Israeli individuals, citing their actions as contributing to violence and instability in the West Bank. These measures are part of efforts to address activities that undermine peace, security, and stability in the region.
The sanctioned individuals are Eitan Yardeni and Avichai Suissa. According to the Department of State, "EITAN YARDENI (YARDENI) is a violent Israeli settler." In late 2023, Yardeni was involved in an incident where a group invaded the Palestinian town of Khallet Al Dabaa, abducted a Palestinian man, ransacked houses, and stole personal possessions. Additionally, in April 2020, Yardeni joined settlers attacking two Palestinians herding sheep near Harruba in the South Hebron Hills. Yardeni is being designated under section 1(a)(i)(B)(1) of Executive Order (E.O.) 14115 for his involvement in acts of violence targeting civilians in the West Bank.
Avichai Suissa is identified as "the CEO and a director of U.S.-designated HASHOMER YOSH." He is being designated under section 1(a)(ii)(B) of E.O. 14115 for his leadership role in HASHOMER YOSH, an entity previously designated under the same executive order.
As a result of these sanctions, all property and interests in property of these individuals within the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The sanctions also extend to entities owned 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons. Transactions involving these properties or interests by U.S. persons or within U.S. jurisdiction are prohibited unless authorized by OFAC.
Additionally, "the entry of designated individuals into the United States is suspended pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8693."
The Department emphasized that "the power and integrity of U.S. sanctions derive not only from our ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law." The ultimate goal is not punishment but fostering positive behavioral change.
For information on how to petition for delisting from the SDN List, individuals can refer to the State Department’s web page on this process.
