US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Congress condemning violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. AP
US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Congress condemning violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. AP
US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Congress condemning violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. AP
US President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Congress condemning violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. AP

Biden takes new action against West Bank settlers who attack Palestinians


Kyle Fitzgerald
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Live updates: Follow the latest from Israel-Gaza

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.

Palestinians argue with Israeli settlers after violence near the West Bank city of Nablus in February last year. EPA
Palestinians argue with Israeli settlers after violence near the West Bank city of Nablus in February last year. EPA

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."

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Stage 7:

1. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal - 3:18:29

2. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - same time

3. Phil Bauhaus (GER) Bahrain Victorious

4. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep

5. Cees Bol (NED) Team DSM

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 24:00:28

2. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:35

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:02

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:42

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

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Centre Court - from 4pm UAE time

Johanna Konta (6) v Donna Vekic

Andy Murray (1) v Dustin Brown

Rafael Nadal (4) v Donald Young

 

Court 1 - from 4pm UAE time

Kei Nishikori (9) v Sergiy Stakhovsky

Qiang Wang v Venus Williams (10)

Beatriz Haddad Maia v Simona Halep (2)

 

Court 2 - from 2.30pm

Heather Watson v Anastasija Sevastova (18)

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) v Simone Bolelli

Florian Mayer v Marin Cilic (7)

 

THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS

England

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur

Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus

Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid

Updated: February 02, 2024, 6:16 AM