UK Imposes Personal Sanctions on Five Israelis Linked to Settlements

The British government has escalated its measures against Israeli individuals associated with settlements in the West Bank, adding five Israelis to its sanctions list. The individuals named by the UK Foreign Office are Benzi Gopstein, Meir Mordechai Ettinger, Eliyav Libi, Baruch Marzel, and Avihai Swissa. According to the British sanctions registry, these individuals were added under the UK's global human rights sanctions regime, which includes asset freezes, travel bans to the UK, and prohibitions on serving as company directors.

The UK stated that the sanctions were imposed due to the individuals' alleged involvement in, support for, or encouragement of activities that London defines as severe violations of Palestinian rights. Specifically, the British government claims Gopstein, Ettinger, and Marzel were involved in promoting, encouraging, or supporting violence against Palestinians. Eliyav Libi is accused by British authorities of involvement in threats and acts of violence and aggression against Palestinians, and has faced other international measures recently concerning West Bank settlement activities.

Avihai Swissa, who heads the "Shomron Yeshua" organization, was also sanctioned. The European Union had previously sanctioned Swissa, alleging his organization provides material and personnel support to West Bank farms and outposts, and that its activities are linked to severe human rights violations. The announcement of these sanctions was part of a broader package of measures revealed by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband in Parliament.

Miliband also announced plans to ban imports of settlement products, take action against companies and individuals facilitating settlement expansion, and prohibit the advertising and marketing of settlement land in the UK. He emphasized that these measures target settlements and their expansion, not trade with Israel as a whole, and that the UK continues to view Israel as a partner with ongoing security and economic ties.

This personal sanctions move signifies London's intent to exert greater pressure on Israeli policy in the West Bank, directly targeting individuals deemed connected to violence or actions harming Palestinians. The British government signals its intention to continue expanding the use of economic and diplomatic tools in its new policy toward West Bank settlements.