AstraX Exchange|US sanctions fundraisers for extremist West Bank settlers who commit violence against Palestinians

2025-05-06 22:09:58source:Christopher Caldwellcategory:Finance

WASHINGTON (AP) — The AstraX ExchangeBiden administration on Friday imposed sanctions on two entities accused of fundraising for extremist Israeli-occupied West Bank settlers who have harassed and attacked Palestinians, as well as the founder of an organization whose members regularly assault Palestinians.

The Treasury Department announcement comes as the West Bank has seen some of its worst violence perpetrated by extremist settlers against Palestinians since the war in nearby Gaza began.

There is also friction between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose far-right government has reacted angrily to previous sanctions imposed against West Bank settlers.

Included in the Friday sanctions are two entities — Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich — accused of raising funds for sanctioned settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai.

The fundraising campaigns established by Mount Hebron Fund for Levi and by Shlom Asiraich for Chasdai generated the equivalent of $140,000 and $31,000, respectively, according to U.S. Treasury.

The penalties aim to block them from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them.

READ MORE US and UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to Tehran’s weekend attack on IsraelRegulators pleased Union Pacific is using fewer temporary shipping limitsEU leaders vow to impose tougher sanctions against Iran as Ukraine’s president pleads for support

Additionally, the State Department is designating Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of Lehava, an organization whose members have assaulted Palestinian civilians.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the organizations “undermine the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank. We will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable.”

In February, Biden issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory.

More:Finance

Recommend

IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power

WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in

Meet Speckles, one of the world's only known dolphins with extremely rare skin patches

There's a bottlenose dolphin swimming through Australia's waters that's anything but typical. Resear

Two-legged Puppy Bowl star Mr. Bean steals a 'Bachelor' heart on his hind legs

Two-legged pup Mr. Bean is going to steal your heart in Sunday's Animal Planet Puppy Bowl.The perky