Sanctioning Violent Palestinian Group in the West Bank

The Department of State is today imposing sanctions on “Lions’ Den,” a militant Palestinian group centered in Nablus’s Old City in the West Bank.

In October 2022, Lions’ Den claimed responsibility for several drive-by shootings in the Nablus area.  Lions’ Den members opened fire at Israeli vehicles driving close to the nearby settlement of Elon Moreh, injuring a taxi driver and damaging vehicles.  In a separate attack, numerous shots were fired toward the West Bank settlement of Har Bracha.  In September 2022, Lions’ Den fighters injured and killed Palestinian civilians during clashes between Palestinian fighters and Palestinian Authority Security Forces in Nablus.  In April 2024, Palestinian media reported that Lions’ Den fighters targeted Israeli forces with small arms at an Israeli checkpoint in Nablus.

The United States condemns any and all acts of violence committed in the West Bank, whoever the perpetrators, and we will use the tools at our disposal to expose and hold accountable those who threaten peace and stability there.

Today’s target is being designated for being responsible for, or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions—including directing, enacting, implementing, enforcing, or failing to enforce policies—that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the West Bank, pursuant to section 1 (a)(i)(A) of Executive Order (E.O.) 14115, as well as for being responsible for or complicit in, or 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, pursuant to section 1(a)(i)(B)(1) of E.O. 14115.  Petitions for removal from the SDN List may be sent to: [email protected].  Petitioners may also refer to the Department of State’s Delisting Guidance page.