Israeli settlers sanctioned by the US in response to ‘intolerable’ West Bank violence

American President Joe Biden has slapped sanctions on four Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Biden signed a broad executive order and said violence in the West Bank had reached “intolerable levels”.

The sanctions block the individuals from accessing all US property, assets and the American financial system.

The US Treasury named the four sanctioned Israelis as David Chai Chasdai, 29; Yinon Levi 31; Einan Tanjil, 21; and Shalom Zicherman 32.

Yachad UK director Hannah Weisfeld backed the move, posting on X that the sanctions “make it much harder for organisations involved in violence and displacement to raise funds in the USA, a key source of funding.”

She called for the UK government to “follow suit.”

Biden said violence in the West Bank had reached “intolerable levels” with 370 Palestinians killed in recent months, mainly in confrontations with the IDF. But at least eight deaths were the result of settler attacks.

A senior administration official said the sanctions were against “individuals that have directly perpetrated violence and those who have engaged in repeated acts of intimidation, property destruction, leading to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities”.

One person led a riot that led to the death of a Palestinian civilian in the town of Huwara, while another had attacked people with stones and clubs, it was claimed.

They added that the executive order was “non-discriminatory” and applied to both Israelis and Palestinians who direct or take part in violent acts or threats against civilians, intimidation, destroying, seizing property or terrorism.

These US sanctions cannot be applied to American citizens, some of whom are thought to be involved in the violence.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US expects Israel to “do more to hold accountable those responsible for settler violence”.