Formation | 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 [13] The executive order authorizing these sanctions was rescinded by incoming US President Donald Trump in January 2025.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]
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]
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