Amana (organization)

Israeli settlement movement

AmanaFormation| 1976

|

Purpose| "Developing communities in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights, the Galilee, the Negev and Gush Katif"

Amana (Hebrew: אמנה, 'Covenant') is an Israeli settlement movement formed by Gush Emunim in 1976.[1][2] Its primary goal was "developing communities in Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heights, the Galilee, the Negev and Gush Katif."[3] The initial communities it developed were Ofra, Mevo Modi'in, Kedumim, and Ma'aleh Adumim.[3] Settlements developed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.[4]

It became a registered association in 1978.[5][6] It was also recognized by the World Zionist Organization.[7] Over time, it became nearly independent of Gush Emunim.[8]

An investigation by the Israeli police into 15 land deals conducted by the Amana subsidiary Al Watan concluded early in 2016 that 14 of the transactions were fraudulent.[9] One method used involved giving a suitcase full of cash to a fake Palestinian owner and taking it back afterwards.[9] Al Watan denied the charges.[9] Amana has provided financial support to illegal Israeli outposts in the West Bank.[10]

On 27 June 2024, Canada imposed sanctions on the Amana movement "for their role in facilitating, supporting or financially contributing to acts of violence ... against Palestinian civilians and their property".[11] Nearly 90 US lawmakers sent a letter to Joe Biden in late October 2024, asking him to sanction Amana, which is involved in settlement development.[12] On November 18, 2024, the US government imposed sanctions on Amana.[13] The executive order authorizing these sanctions was rescinded by incoming US President Donald Trump in January 2025.[14][15]

## Budget and funding

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As of 2024 Amana controlled assets worth approximately NIS 600 million ($160.4 million) and had a budget of tens of millions of shekels per year, according to Peace Now.[16]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Goldberg, Giora (1993). Ben-Zadok, Efraim (ed.). Gush Emunim New Settlements in the West Bank: From Social Movement to Regional Interest Group. SUNY series in Israeli studies. SUNY Press. p. 199\. ISBN 9780791415610. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2011. `{{cite book}}`: `|work=` ignored (help)
2. ^ Myron J. Aronoff (1989). Israeli Visions and Divisions. Transaction Publishers. p. 83. ISBN 9780887382550. Retrieved November 18, 2011. "amana settlement movement."
3. ^ a b "אמנה - תנועת ההתיישבות - about us". Amana.co.il. Archived from the original on October 22, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
4. ^ "The Geneva Convention". BBC News. 10 December 2009. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
5. ^ Yishai, Yael (1987). Land or peace: whither Israel?. Hoover Press publication, Volume 352. Hoover Press. p. 120\. ISBN 9780817985233. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
6. ^ Kass, Ilana; O'Neill, Bard E. (1997). The deadly embrace: the impact of Israeli and Palestinian rejectionism on the peace process. University Press of America. ISBN 9780761805359. Archived from the original on 28 June 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
7. ^ Kellerman, Aharon (1993). Society and settlement: Jewish land of Israel in the twentieth century. SUNY Press. p. 93. Retrieved 18 November 2011. "amana settlement movement"
8. ^ Gideon, Aran (1994). Marty, Martin E.; Appleby, R. Scott (eds.). Jewish Zionist Fundamentalism: The Bloc of the Faithful in Israel (Gush Emunim). The Fundamentalism Project. Vol. 1\. University of Chicago Press for the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. p. 282\. ISBN 9780226508788. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2011. `{{cite book}}`: `|work=` ignored (help)
9. ^ a b c Levinson, Chaim (1 February 2016). "Almost All West Bank Land Deals for Illegal Settlements Forged, Investigation Finds". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
10. ^ Tacchi, Jake; Al-Qattan, Ziad; Nader, Emir; Cassel, Matthew (2024-09-02). "Israeli outpost settlers rapidly seizing West Bank land". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
11. ^ Tibon, Amir; Peleg, Bar; Breiner, Josh (June 27, 2024). "Canada Imposes Sanctions on Prominent Israeli Settler Leaders, Organizations in West Bank". Haaretz. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
12. ^ "Nearly 90 lawmakers call on Biden to sanction Israeli ultranationalist ministers". Axios.
13. ^ "U.S. Announces Sanctions Against West Bank Settlement Organization Amana". Ha'aretz. November 18, 2024.
14. ^ "Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions". 20 January 2025.
15. ^ Neev, Keshet. "Trump cancels sanctions on West Bank Israeli settlers on first day back in office". The Jerusalem Post. January 21 2005.
16. ^ Sharon, Jeremy, and Jacob Magid. "US sanctions key settlement organization Amana for dispossessing Palestinians". The Times of Israel. 18 November 2024.

## External links

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* Official website Archived 2011-10-22 at the Wayback Machine

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