UK, Canada, France, Norway, Australia, NZ sanction West Bank settler individuals, entities

Australia, Canada, France, Norway, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have jointly sanctioned individuals and entities in the West Bank accused of "horrific abuses against Palestinian civilians." The foreign ministers of these six nations announced the coordinated move, stating the sanctions will help "preserve the viability of the two-State solution."

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For too long, violent settlers have acted with almost impunity while the expansion of settlements and the creation of outposts continue with the support and assistance of the Israeli government.

All six countries recognize the State of Palestine. Their joint statements, though worded differently, condemn extremist settler violence in the West Bank. They argue this violence drives the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, undermines the two-state solution, and threatens broader regional peace and security. France's Jean-Noël Barrot stated that "violent settlers have acted with almost impunity" while settlements continue to expand with Israeli government support.

Barrot urged the Israeli government to hold perpetrators of violence accountable, suggesting some settlers act under the protection of Israeli security forces. The UK is specifically sanctioning six entities and one individual involved in financing, enabling, and carrying out settler violence. Canada is designating two individuals and five entities. Those sanctioned will face asset freezes and potential travel bans.

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Today we are acting with our international partners to sanction those who support and sponsor violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

For the first time, the UK's official guidance explicitly advises businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements, while continuing to support trade with Israel within the 1967 lines. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated, "Settler expansion and violence is illegal and a fundamental threat to the viability of a two-state solution, and to long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis."

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Settler expansion and violence is illegal and a fundamental threat to the viability of a two-state solution, and to long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

Israel's foreign ministry firmly rejected the measures, calling them "disgraceful" and an attempt to "impose a polit[ical outcome]."

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Israel firmly rejects the disgraceful measures adopted by foreign governments against Israeli citizens, entities, and a government minister.