On June 9, local time, Reuters and various governments reported that France, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway have targeted individuals and groups involved in or supporting violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
France has included Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settler organizations, and 21 violent settlers on its travel ban list. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the country is imposing new sanctions on those responsible for promoting colonization and violence in the West Bank.
Le Drian explained that Smotrich has pushed for the annexation of the West Bank and supported the construction of new settlements and the resettlement of people in Gaza. He also pointed out that Smotrich effectively condones the economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority and the resulting suffering of Palestinian residents.
The UK and Canada have announced measures to restrict financial flows and transactions related to settler violence. In a joint statement, the six countries involved in the sanctions condemned violent extremist settlers for attacking Palestinians and violating human rights. They urged the Israeli government to promptly and thoroughly investigate all attacks and take action against organizations that incite violence.
In addition to the sanctions, the UK has advised its businesses and citizens against engaging in economic and financial activities in West Bank settlements. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Parliament, "British citizens or businesses should not engage in any economic or financial activities in illegal Israeli settlements."
Since the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023, violence involving Israeli settlers has continued in the West Bank. Many in the international community view the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as a violation of international law.
The European Union imposed sanctions on three extremist Israeli settlement activists and four organizations at the end of last month but excluded far-right Israeli ministers, including Smotrich, from the list. Smotrich is known to have founded one of the organizations sanctioned by the EU.
Israel has reacted strongly against these measures, claiming that Western sanctions are not a response to violence but rather a political pressure tactic regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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