Countries Impose Sanctions on Enablers of Settler Violence in West Bank

Six Western Countries Impose Sanctions on Israel Over West Bank Settlements

In a coordinated effort, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway have imposed sanctions targeting networks involved in financing, enabling, and carrying out settler violence against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The move comes in response to record illegal settlement expansion and rising violence by settlers in the region.

The six countries have warned that they will take further measures if the Israeli government fails to adequately address the situation on the ground. France has also banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, three leaders of settler groups, and 21 settlers from entering the country due to their involvement in violence in the West Bank.

Israel’s foreign ministry has denounced the sanctions, stating that they are an attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel. The UK government has urged British businesses and citizens to refrain from conducting financial activities in Israeli settlements deemed illegal under international law.

The UK government has also reiterated its call on the Israeli government to end settlement expansion, clamp down on settler violence, prosecute those responsible, and lift ongoing restrictions on the functioning of the Palestinian economy. Amnesty International has expressed concerns that the sanctions are not sufficient, calling for the UK to ban all trade with settlements and halt cooperation and investment relations enabling unlawful occupation and apartheid.

In a similar vein, Christian Aid has criticized the UK government’s approach, stating that it is insufficient to merely advise British businesses against activity in illegal Israeli settlements. The organization is calling for the UK to ban all trade and investment with Israeli settlements.

Source: Al Jazeera