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The Biden administration has announced new sanctions on two organizations and a leader linked to violence in the West Bank.

The US Treasury Department declared that the Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich, along with Ben-Zion Gopstein, leader of Lehava, are now facing punitive measures. These groups have been identified as critical financial supporters of Israeli extremists accused of numerous violent acts against Palestinians.

According to the Treasury Department, the sanctioned groups have played significant roles in fundraising efforts supporting notorious extremists. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said, “Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich generated tens of thousands of dollars for extremists responsible for destroying property, assaulting civilians, and violence against Palestinians.” He added, “The Treasury Department will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable.”

The sanctions target entities involved in escalating unrest in the region. According to officials, the Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich are implicated in funding activities that have directly contributed to confrontations. Specifically, the Mount Hebron Fund collected $140,000 for Yinon Levi, while Shlom Asiraich gathered $31,000 for David Chai Chasdai. Both individuals were previously sanctioned for their roles in violent incidents.

This financial crackdown also targets Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder of the Lehava group, known for its violent actions in volatile areas of the West Bank. The sanctions mean that any financial institutions or individuals that engage in transactions with these groups could themselves face sanctions or enforcement actions, potentially broadening the impact of these measures.