In a significant move, the United Kingdom announced new sanctions on Tuesday, October 15, targeting three “illegal settler outposts” and four organizations linked to violent actions against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
This latest round of sanctions is part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to address human rights abuses in the region. Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the Israeli government’s “inaction” has fostered an environment of impunity, allowing settler violence to escalate unchecked.
“Today’s measures will help bring accountability to those who have supported and perpetrated such heinous abuses of human rights,” Lammy stated, calling for Israel to take decisive action against settler violence and halt the expansion of settlements on Palestinian land.
The organizations facing sanctions include the religious institution Od Yosef Chai Yeshiva, the NGO Hashomer Yosh, the charity Torat Lechima, and the construction firm Amana.
The sanctioned settlements are identified as the Tirzah Valley Farm Outpost, Meitarim Outpost, and Shuvi Eretz Outpost. This marks the third time since February that London has targeted individuals and groups involved in settler violence.
The announcement follows similar sanctions imposed by the United States, which included measures against Hashomer Yosh, an organization alleged to provide volunteers for illegal outposts.
The US State Department reported that volunteers from this group recently fenced off a Palestinian village, effectively preventing the return of 250 residents who had previously been displaced.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated dramatically since Hamas launched its attack on Israel in October of the previous year.
Recent reports from the Palestinian health ministry indicate that Israeli forces have killed over 700 Palestinians in the West Bank, including two individuals, one of whom was a teenager, during military raids in Jenin on Monday.
The UK sanctions also come on the heels of remarks made by former Foreign Secretary David Cameron, who revealed that the previous Conservative government had planned to impose sanctions on two Israeli ministers considered “extremist.”
Cameron noted that he had been “working up” sanctions against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir before the UK general election in July.
The international community continues to scrutinize the situation in the West Bank, where the ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns remain pressing issues.
The UK’s recent actions are seen as an attempt to hold accountable those contributing to the cycle of violence and to advocate for the protection of Palestinian rights amidst growing tensions.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how these sanctions will impact the broader dynamics in the region and whether they will lead to meaningful changes in the approach to settlement expansion and violence against Palestinians.
