Israeli Group in West Bank Faces US Sanctions

August 28, 2024 TruthUSA

The United States has announced sanctions against a group for allegedly providing material support to a farm and individuals who are already under prior sanctions for alleged violence.

On Aug. 28, the United States announced sanctions against an individual and a group for allegedly contributing to violence in the West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria and consisting of Israeli and Palestinian neighborhoods with a history of violence between the two groups.

Additionally, the State Department stated that Israelis in the West Bank have hindered vehicles seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza during the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The group penalized by the United States is Hashomer Yosh, founded in 2013, which assists farmers in the West Bank.

“Our assistance to these farmers is primarily thanks to the volunteers—individuals and groups, young and old, who come to guard at night against thieves or to lend a hand and help out with various tasks on the farms,” stated the group on its website.

“Aside from the support via manpower, the organization also helps by providing agricultural and security equipment and responding in times of emergency.”

The State Department has sanctioned Hashomer Yosh for allegedly providing material support to a farm and its owner, who are already under sanctions for alleged violence by the United States.

In July, the United States took action against Meitarim Farm for allegedly seizing plots of land and displacing local Palestinian families through activities to evict residents, according to the department.

Its owner, Yinon Levi, was sanctioned in February for allegedly creating a “climate of fear in the West Bank” by assaulting Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, threatening them with more violence, burning their fields, and destroying their property, as stated by the State Department.

“After forcing all 250 Palestinian residents of Khirbet Zanuta to leave in late January, Hashomer Yosh volunteers cordoned off the village to prevent their return.

“The volunteers also supported by herding the flocks and purporting to ‘guard’ the outposts of individuals designated by the U.S.,” the department reported.

Hashomer Yosh is also accused of providing material support to two other individuals subjected to sanctions by the United States—Neriya Ben Pazi and Zvi Bar Yosef.

Bar Yosef was penalized for engaging in repeated violence and attempted violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Along with Hashomer Yosh, the United States has sanctioned Yitzhak Filant, the security coordinator for the Yitzhar neighborhood in the West Bank.

“While Filant’s role is similar to a security or law enforcement officer, he has participated in malicious activities beyond his scope of authority,” stated the State Department, accusing Filant of leading a group of armed Israelis in setting up roadblocks and patrols to attack Palestinians in their lands and forcibly remove them.

The Epoch Times has contacted Hashomer Yosh for comment, but a contact for Filant could not be found.

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