The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is imposing sanctions on the group Hashomer Yosh, a non-governmental organization that participated in the forced relocation of 250 Palestinians from the community of Khirbet Zanuta in January, and then fenced off the area.
Sanctions are also being directed against Hitzhak Levi Filant, who is the security coordinator for the settlement of Yitzhar on the West Bank, among other things for having ordered roadblocks on the West Bank, and for having led a group of armed settlers to attack Palestinians.
The announcement came from the US Department of State and spokesperson Matthew Miller.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government consists in part of right-wing extremist parties with close ties to the settler movement, responded by expressing displeasure over the decision. He said that he views "very seriously" the sanctions that the US is imposing on settlers who are Israeli citizens.
Netanyahu says in a statement from his office that the issue is part of "an intense discussion" that is ongoing with the US.
