The Department of State is today imposing sanctions on two Israeli individuals. The actions of these individuals contribute to creating an environment where violence and instability thrive. Their actions, collectively and individually, undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.

The Department is designating the following individuals pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14115:

• EITAN YARDENI (YARDENI) is a violent Israeli settler. In late 2023, YARDENI joined a group that invaded the Palestinian town of Khallet Al Dabaa, abducting a Palestinian man, ransacking houses, and stealing personal possessions. In April of 2020, YARDENI, armed with a handgun, joined a group of settlers that attacked two Palestinians herding sheep near Harruba in the South Hebron Hills. YARDENI is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i)(B)(1) of E.O. 14115 for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in planning, ordering, otherwise directing, or participating in an act of violence or threat of violence targeting civilians, affecting the West Bank.
• AVICHAI SUISSA (SUISSA) is the CEO and a director of U.S.-designated HASHOMER YOSH. SUISSA is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(B) of E.O. 14115 for being, or having been, a leader or official of HASHOMER YOSH, an entity previously designated pursuant to E.O. 14115.

As a result of today's action, and pursuant to E.O. 14115, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, all individuals or entities that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Additionally, the entry of designated individuals into the United States is suspended pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 8693.

The power and integrity of U.S. sanctions derive not only from our ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from the SDN List, please refer to the State Department's web page on how to petition for delisting, which describes the process and provides examples of situations that may result in delisting.

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