Yinon Levi, an Israeli settler recently sanctioned by the United States for alleged acts of violence in Judea and Samaria, was notified Friday that his Israeli bank accounts at Bank Leumi – both private and business – were frozen.
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Several officials condemned the decision, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir saying that freezing "bank accounts of settlers without explanation and court hearing crosses the red line." He called "on the responsible parties in Israel to act immediately to return the bank accounts of the settlers that were closed."
"We greatly respect and appreciate our allies in the world, but we must not let anyone else run the State of Israel," he said referring to the US
Additionally, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called the measure "scandalous" and "intolerable."
"Such abuse towards an Israeli citizen without any proper legal process is something that should not be allowed," said Karhi, adding that he transferred the issue for a legal review.
Bank Leumi became the first Israeli bank to act in response to US President Joe Biden's decision to impose sanctions on four Israeli settlers. Bank Hapoalim also indicates it would comply with the sanctions to avoid legal implications across the ocean.
Israeli banks signed a pledge to comply with other countries' sanctions. Otherwise, they risk losing access to critical international payment systems, like it happened to Russian banks after the start of the war with Ukraine.
This article was first published by i24NEWS
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