Sanctions on Israeli settlers announced by six nations over West Bank violence

Six countries announced fresh sanctions on Israeli settlers and West Bank settlements on Tuesday. The steps also covered Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who faced earlier Western sanctions. Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Norway, and New Zealand said the action raised pressure over rising violence against Palestinians in the occupied territory.

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In a joint statement, the countries said extremist settlers kept attacking Palestinians. The statement said this happened with support from backers. The countries said human rights abuses continued. They added that violent settlers often acted with near impunity. The statement also said settlement growth and new outposts continued with Israel’s government support.

West Bank sanctions target settler violence and settlement expansion

The move came as criticism grew in Europe over Israel’s war in Gaza. Critics also focused on policies in the occupied West Bank. The measures were narrower than sanctions used on Iran or Russia. Wider trade, including weapons, stayed unaffected. Each of the six countries set out separate actions under the joint plan.

Israel’s hard-line government was described as dominated by settler leaders and allies. Over the past four years, it oversaw a rise in settlement construction. During the same period, the West Bank saw a wave of settler attacks on Palestinians. The report said those responsible were rarely punished. Many countries view settlement building as illegal and harmful to peace.

France sanctions include Bezalel Smotrich under West Bank sanctions

France barred Smotrich from entering the country. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced the step in a social media post. Barrot said the sanctions targeted those linked to increased settlement activity and violence. Barrot said France also blocked four settler organisation leaders and 21 settlers accused of violence from French territory.

Barrot said Smotrich oversaw Israeli settlement policy and backed annexation plans. Barrot said Smotrich promoted West Bank settlement growth and the return of settlements in Gaza. Barrot also said Smotrich supported policies aimed at Palestinian Authority economic collapse. Barrot said these steps harmed Palestinians. "These are policies that the overwhelming majority of the international community cannot accept,\" Barrot said.

Smotrich led a far-right religious party and pushed settlement expansion. Smotrich recently ordered the eviction of a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The village had long faced pressure from Israeli authorities. Smotrich said the ban response followed reports about possible interest from International Criminal Court prosecutors. The court usually does not publish arrest warrants or related requests.

UK sanctions under West Bank sanctions include entities and individuals

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK sanctioned six entities. Yvette Cooper also said individuals were targeted for financing settlements or violent acts. \"We have targeted some of the most notorious individuals, the most significant settler entities, and the extremist figures in the Israeli cabinet who are inciting these acts,\" Yvette Cooper told the House of Commons.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticised the sanctions and rejected the approach. \"disgraceful measures that only serve to fuel that antisemitism,\" the ministry said. Israel’s Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka spoke to The Associated Press on Monday. Joshua Zarka warned the steps could backfire. \"Sanctioning government entities or government-connected entities is not helping in any way. On the contrary, it is actually helping those extremists,\" Joshua Zarka said.

The coordinated sanctions followed a separate European Union action. The 27-nation EU issued new sanctions on Hamas leaders. The EU also sanctioned Israeli settler organisations and leaders. More than 700,000 Israelis live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem. Israel captured the territories from Jordan in 1967. Palestinians seek them for a future state.

With inputs from PTI