US sanctions ‘Hilltop Youth’ as settler violence escalates in Occupied West Bank

The US imposed sanctions on Tuesday against the radical Jewish settler gangs known as “Hilltop Youth” known for attacks on Palestinians and their property.

The State Department also sanctioned Israeli settler, Eitan Yardeni, for his involvement in violence targeting Palestinian civilians in the Occupied West Bank and Avichai Suissa, leader of Hashomer Yosh. This non-governmental organisation says it helps protect settlers and recruits young volunteers for settler farms, including small outposts that are central to settler violence in the region.

These sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, come amid escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since Israel’s war against Gaza began, following the 7 October attacks.

Palestinians report facing verbal and physical attacks, restricted movement and intimidation by settlers who circle their properties on motorbikes, cars or horses, and use drones for surveillance.

In its announcement, the Treasury Department described Hilltop Youth as “a violent extremist group that has repeatedly attacked Palestinians and destroyed Palestinian homes and property in the West Bank”.

“Through these violent activities, Hilltop Youth is actively destabilising the West Bank and harming the peace and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike,” the announcement added. “Hilltop Youth has devastated Palestinian communities and carried out killings, mass arson and other so-called ‘price tag’ attacks to exact revenge and intimidates Palestinian civilians, and has repeatedly clashed with the Israeli military as it counters their activities.”

However, according to AP News, sanctioning the group may prove challenging due to its loose and decentralised structure, and Israel’s Finance Minister has previously pledged to support sanctioned settlers.

Sanctioned settlers have previously told the AP News that such measures have had minimal financial impact. Hilltop Youth has already been sanctioned by both the EU and UK, but the Biden administration has faced criticism for imposing relatively few sanctions on Israeli extremists. Since President Joe Biden’s February 2024 Executive Order to maintain stability in the West Bank, the US has sanctioned 27 extremists and entities, according to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The Treasury’s Acting Under-Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley Smith, said that the US “will continue to hold accountable the individuals, groups and organisations that facilitate these hateful and destabilising acts.”

Additionally, State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said “the actions of these individuals have contributed to creating an environment where violence and instability thrive. Their actions, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank.”

The Biden administration affirmed in February that settlements are inconsistent with international law, signalling a return to long-standing US policy on the issue that had been reversed by the previous administration of Donald Trump. Israel’s far-right, ultra-nationalist Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, denounced earlier sanctions against settlers.

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