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The US imposed sanctions on four Israeli settlers on Thursday after President Joe Biden issued an executive order against those who undermine “peace, stability and security” in the occupied West Bank, following a surge in violence against Palestinians.
Mr Biden has previously spoken out against Israeli settler violence in the territory and vowed to hold them accountable.
"Such actions constitute a serious threat to the peace, security and stability of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel and the broader Middle East region and undermine the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States," Mr Biden said in a letter to Congress.
The new executive order gives the Treasury and State departments the authority to freeze US assets of those under sanctions, prohibit US citizens and companies from conducting business with them and bar them entry to the US.
"Today’s actions seek to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike," National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
One of the settlers sanctioned is accused of initiating and leading a riot that resulted in the death of a Palestinian civilian.
Two others were involved in assaulting Palestinian farmers and Israeli activists. The fourth settler regularly led groups from the Meitarim Farm outpost that assaulted Palestinian and Bedouin civilians and threatened them, Washington said.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that US officials have had "very frank" discussions with their Israeli counterparts and have asked Israel to take action against extremist settlers. He also said Washington could take additional action in the future.
"We will not hesitate to use the sanctions authorities if it's appropriate to do so," Mr Miller told reporters.
Meanwhile, Israel criticised the US sanctions.
"Israel acts against all lawbreakers everywhere, so there is no room for exceptional measures in this regard," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
Speaking to reporters before the announcement was made, senior administration officials said Mr Biden's executive order was “non-discriminatory” and applied to Israelis, Palestinians and other foreign citizens.
Since the outbreak of the war, violence has surged in the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of hundreds Palestinian civilians.
Since October 7, 362 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, according to UN figures.
That included an Israeli strike in Jenin last month that resulted in the deaths of seven Palestinians, as well as a raid at the Ibn Sina Hospital.
The new order comes as Mr Biden was set to visit Michigan on Thursday as part of his presidential re-election campaign, but he was expected to face opposition from the state's Arab-American community over his handling of the conflict in the region.
Thursday's executive order also follows actions taken by the State Department to impose visa restrictions on extremist Israeli settlers in December.
It was also a rare move from the US President, who has consistently backed Mr Netanyahu's war efforts against Hamas. But the White House has faced mounting pressure as Israel's assault on Gaza has left at least 27,000 Palestinians dead, more than 66,000 wounded and most of the population displaced.
A senior US senator said before the announcement he was "pleased" with the latest measure.
"There's got to be a strong message against the extreme activities taken by some settlers on the West Bank, jeopardising the lives of Palestinians as well as peace in the region," said Ben Cardin, chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.
"So I strongly support this strong action being taken against those that are involved in settler violence."
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Citizenship-by-investment programmes
United Kingdom
The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).
All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.
The Caribbean
Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.
Portugal
The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.
“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.
Greece
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.
Spain
The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Cyprus
Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.
Malta
The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.
The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.
Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.
Egypt
A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.
Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties
