The United States and the European Union have implemented sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers involved in violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
The EU announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers and two entities for committing serious human rights abuses against Palestinians.
This decision was part of an agreement among EU member states, following sanctions against the Palestinian group Hamas for an attack on southern Israel on October 7.
The US and Britain had previously taken similar actions against violent settlers in the West Bank two months ago.
The EU included Lehava and the Hilltop Youth, described as radical organizations, on its blacklist for asset freeze and visa ban due to their attacks on Palestinians. Leaders of Hilltop Youth, Meir Ettinger and Elisha Yered, as well as settlers Neria Ben Pazi and Yinon Levi were also targeted.
The abuses cited by the EU included torture, cruel treatment, violation of property rights, and the right to private and family life of Palestinians in the West Bank.
In a separate move, the US added Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder of Lehava, to its own blacklist on Friday. Washington also imposed sanctions on two groups that raised funds for settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai, who were previously targeted in its sanctions.
Previously, Washington had sanctioned five settlers and two unauthorized outposts in the West Bank in two rounds of sanctions.
Mount Hebron Fund initiated an online fundraising campaign that successfully raised $140,000 for Levi, as confirmed by the Treasury, following his sanctions on February 1 for leading a group of settlers who attacked Palestinian and Bedouin civilians, set fire to their fields, and damaged their property.
The United States has cautioned that China is now the main contributor to Russia's military activities in Ukraine and broader expansion by providing crucial components for weaponry. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, stated that Beijing's supply of machine tools, semiconductors, and other essential parts for weapon production poses the most significant threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.
Mr. Blinken emphasized that Washington has clearly communicated to Beijing and others that they should not support Russia's war efforts. During a three-day meeting of G7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri, he highlighted China's role in aiding Russia's defense industrial base.
The G7 foreign ministers, including Mr. Blinken and Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, discussed various global issues such as the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and the missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Washington is urging its European allies to increase pressure on China to prevent further assistance to Russia, especially as Ukrainian forces face significant challenges in the conflict.
The invasion by Moscow in February 2022, shortly after Russia and China declared an unrestricted partnership, has raised concerns about the security situation in Europe. China's dual role in fostering positive relations with European countries while supporting Russia's military activities has been a focal point of discussions among the G7 nations.
During a recent evaluation, the United States accused Beijing of aiding Russia in its "most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era, and at a faster pace than we previously thought possible."
According to Washington, Chinese assistance includes crucial materials and technology necessary for the production of missiles, drones, tanks, aircraft, and other related items. This accusation by Mr. Blinken was supported by Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock.
She stated, "If China openly seeks a closer partnership with Russia, which is engaged in an unlawful war against Ukraine... we cannot tolerate this."
There have been longstanding suspicions that China is providing essential components to Moscow.
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