UK sanctions four Israeli settlers accused of violence
The UK has sanctioned four Israeli settlers for alleged violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, enacting financial and travel restrictions.
The Foreign Office accuses these individuals of human rights abuses. Concurrently, Lord Cameron urges Israel to address the issue of settler violence.
Violence in the region escalated post-Gaza war, with the UN reporting 384 Palestinian and 10 Israeli deaths. Tensions have risen due to settlers' aggressive tactics towards Palestinians over land disputes.
Despite their illegality under international law, about 700,000 settlers live in West Bank settlements, with Israeli politics heavily influenced by their presence.
The UK's move, mirroring recent US sanctions, warns of dwindling international patience over the matter. The sanctioned settlers include Moshe Sharvit, Yinon Levy, Zvi Bar Yosef, and Ely Federman, accused of threatening and harming Palestinian communities.
With the UN noting over 500 settler attacks on Palestinians, the UK criticizes Israel for inadequate response and calls for action against settler violence, financial support for the Palestinian Authority, and a halt to settlement expansion.
In response, Israel, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, maintains that the majority of settlers abide by the law and contends additional measures are unwarranted.