Australia joins allies in sanctioning West Bank 'extremist settlers'

Australia has joined the United Kingdom and other Western allies in imposing sanctions against "extremist settlers" responsible for violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the measures, which target six firms and one individual involved in financing and enabling recent violence.

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In response to the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, we the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Norway and the United Kingdom, have taken coordinated action to introduce sanctions and other measures to hold extremist settlers accountable for the horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians.

A joint statement from Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom condemned the "horrific levels of settler violence" and noted that "violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity." The statement highlighted that settlement expansion and the creation of outposts continue with the support of the Israeli government, and that settler violence sometimes occurs under the protection of Israeli security forces.

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For too long, violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity, and settlement expansion and creation of outposts continue with the support and facilitation of the Government of Israel.

The foreign ministers urged the Israeli government to ensure accountability for violence, investigate attacks, act against outposts that foster violence, and stop incitement. They reiterated their belief that peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution and warned that further action would be taken if Israel does not address the situation urgently.

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We continue to urge the Government of Israel to take action to ensure meaningful accountability for violence in the West Bank.

In a separate development, Australian retail chain Barbecues Galore announced it will wind up its operations, closing 62 stores and affecting 500 jobs after failing to secure a rescue deal.

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We Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom have all taken the historic decision to recognise the State of Palestine, reflecting the rights of the Palestinian people and as part of our common efforts to protect the viability of the two-state solution.