US Government Issues Alert on Financial Support for Israeli Extremist Settlers in West Bank
Washington D.C. - A Stern Warning from FinCEN
The United States government has issued a stern warning to individuals and financial institutions about the dangers of supporting Israeli extremist settlers in the West Bank.
Red Flags Indicating Suspicious Activity
In a new alert, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) highlights several red flags that may indicate suspicious activity related to the financing of violence against Palestinians in the region. These include:
- Payments involving entities or individuals linked to “outposts” - settlements considered illegal under Israeli law
- References or payments to accounts held by known family members of designated individuals
- Accounts associated with convicted or imprisoned violent extremists
Urging Financial Institutions to Report Suspicious Transactions
FinCEN is urging banks and other financial institutions to report any suspicious transactions related to the financing of Israeli extremist settler violence in the West Bank. The agency reminds that no single red flag is necessarily indicative of illicit activity, but rather a combination of factors should be considered before determining whether a transaction is suspicious.
Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The US government has consistently opposed the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which it sees as exacerbating tensions and undermining prospects for a negotiated two-state solution. The alert is seen as part of a broader effort to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the region.
“We will not tolerate the financing of violence against innocent civilians,” said a senior US official. “We urge all financial institutions to take their responsibilities seriously and report any suspicious activity to FinCEN.”
Ongoing Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians
The alert comes as tensions between Israelis and Palestinians continue to simmer in the West Bank, with both sides accusing each other of violence and incitement.
Latest Alert from FinCEN
FinCEN’s latest alert is the latest in a series of warnings issued by the agency in recent months aimed at combating the financing of terrorist activity in the region.