Amana (organization)
Israeli settlement movement
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Formation | 1976 |
|---|
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18, 2024, the US government imposed sanctions on Amana.[13] The executive order authorizing these sanctions was rescinded by incoming US President Donald Trump in January 2025.[14][15]