Sanctions Defence — Israel

Sanctions Defence for Israeli Nationals and Businesses

OFAC designation. EU sanctions listing. UK OFSI freeze. Secondary sanctions exposure. Sanctions regimes can destroy Israeli businesses and freeze personal assets overnight. Our team challenges sanctions designations and advises on compliance — from emergency asset unfreeze to OFAC delisting.

Emergency Sanctions Help Extradition Defence

Art. 263

EU annulment route

501.807

OFAC delisting rule (31 CFR)

Emergency response (hours)

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Sanctions and Israel — What You Face

OFAC, EU and UK Sanctions Increasingly Affect Israeli Nationals

Israeli nationals and businesses face increasing exposure to international sanctions regimes — including US OFAC, EU Council sanctions and UK OFSI. Common triggers include:

Secondary sanctions — US sanctions exposure for dealing with sanctioned Russian, Iranian or North Korean entities, even where the Israeli entity had no knowledge
Direct OFAC designation — for alleged sanctions evasion, financial crime, or national security grounds
EU/UK designation — for alleged connections to sanctioned individuals or entities
Asset freezes — Israeli bank accounts, investment portfolios and real estate frozen on MLAT or direct regulatory action

A sanctions designation means immediate asset freeze, banking exclusion, and reputational damage. In serious cases, breach of sanctions carries criminal penalties. Our firm handles all aspects of sanctions defence — from emergency asset release to full delisting proceedings before OFAC, the EU Council and OFSI.

At a Glance

Sanctions — Key Facts

OFAC delisting12–24 months typical

Emergency licenceAvailable from OFAC

EU Council reviewAnnual + legal challenge

US procedure31 CFR 501.807

The Problem

Under Sanctions

✕ All bank accounts frozen — no access to funds

✕ Business transactions blocked worldwide

✕ Reputational damage — publicly listed

✕ US dollar transactions impossible

✕ Risk of criminal prosecution for breach

Our Solution

After Successful Challenge

✓ Assets unfrozen — full access restored

✓ Name removed from OFAC SDN / EU list

✓ Business operations resume globally

✓ Compliance framework protects future exposure

✓ Reputational damage limited and managed

How We Handle a Sanctions Case

Emergency Assessment

Within 48 hours: identify designation basis, all affected assets and accounts, immediate compliance obligations and any criminal exposure. Issue interim advice.

OFAC / Regulatory Engagement

Open direct dialogue with OFAC, EU Council sanctions committee, or UK OFSI. Request specific licences allowing emergency transactions while delisting proceedings progress.

Delisting Application

Prepare comprehensive factual and legal submission addressing all grounds for designation. Counter any intelligence-based allegations. Submit to relevant authority.

Asset Unfreeze in Israel

File parallel application in Israeli courts and with Israeli financial regulators to release frozen domestic assets while international delisting proceeds.

Compliance Framework

Post-delisting: implement robust compliance programme to prevent re-designation. Sanctions screening, KYC procedures, and risk management advisory.

Art. 263

EU General Court

Council listings are challenged by annulment action before the General Court of the EU under Article 263 TFEU.

501.807

OFAC petition

A designated person may petition OFAC for administrative reconsideration under 31 CFR 501.807.

Emergency response

To sanctions designation emergencies

Regimes covered

OFAC, EU Council, UK OFSI

Your Legal Team

Sanctions Defence Specialists — Israel

Adv. Iryna Berenstein

Lawyer — International Private Law & Financial Defence

Lawyer in international private law, financial and corporate law, compliance and data protection, with a client base in Israel, the UAE, the US and the UK. Hebrew, English, Russian.

SanctionsFinancial lawIsraeli clients

Adv. Tarek Muhammad

Criminal Law, Extradition & Compliance

Senior Legal Advisor in criminal and international law, extradition, compliance and sanctions, focused on complex multi-jurisdictional matters and cross-border investigations.

ExtraditionSanctionsCompliance

Official sources

This page explains general legal procedure and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case.

Sanctions FAQ

Sanctions Defence — Your Questions Answered

What are secondary sanctions and how do they affect Israeli nationals? +

Secondary sanctions penalise non-US persons (including Israelis) for conducting transactions with US-sanctioned entities — even where the Israeli party had no direct connection to the US. For example, an Israeli company trading with a Russian entity sanctioned by OFAC may face US secondary sanctions, losing access to the US financial system. This is an increasing risk for Israeli businesses with CIS or Iranian connections.

How can an OFAC designation be challenged? +

An OFAC designation can be challenged through an administrative reconsideration request to OFAC's Office of Global Targeting. We prepare comprehensive submissions addressing the factual and legal basis for the designation, provide evidence of good faith conduct, and engage directly with OFAC on an ongoing basis. OFAC also provides a specific licence mechanism allowing limited transactions during proceedings.

What is the difference between OFAC, EU and UK sanctions? +

OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) administers US sanctions — the most far-reaching due to US dollar dominance. EU sanctions are imposed by the EU Council and are directly applicable in all 27 member states. UK sanctions (administered by OFSI — Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation) apply separately since Brexit. Israeli nationals may be simultaneously listed by all three, requiring parallel challenge proceedings.

Can I unfreeze my Israeli bank account while sanctions proceedings are ongoing? +

Yes, in many cases. We file parallel applications in Israeli courts and with the Bank of Israel or specific institutions for release of domestically held assets where the Israeli legal basis for the freeze is insufficient. This can provide cash flow relief while the international delisting proceedings progress.

Sanctions Emergency

Sanctioned or Assets Frozen? Act Immediately.

Sanctions designations have immediate, devastating financial impact. Early legal action preserves your options. Our Israeli team begins proceedings within 48 hours of instruction.

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