What's happened
On November 18, 2024, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Amana, a key organization in illegal settlement development in the West Bank, and its subsidiary Binyanei Bar Amana. This move follows similar sanctions from the UK and Canada, amid rising tensions and violence in the region since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Axios, the sanctions represent a significant broadening of U.S. measures against settlers, marking the first time private construction companies involved in settlement expansion have been targeted. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized that Amana is a major player in the illegal settlement movement. The Independent highlights that the sanctions come amid a backdrop of increasing violence against Palestinians, with over 700 reported deaths since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The South China Morning Post notes that the sanctions could be quickly reversed under the incoming Trump administration, which is expected to adopt a more favorable stance towards Israeli settlements. This juxtaposition illustrates the precarious balance of U.S. foreign policy in the region and the potential for rapid shifts depending on the political landscape.
How we got here
The U.S. sanctions come as part of a broader strategy to hold accountable those involved in settlement activities that threaten peace in the West Bank. Previous sanctions were imposed under President Biden's executive order targeting Israeli settlers accused of violence against Palestinians.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Amana may refer to:
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The West Bank is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by Israel to the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.