Australia, Canada, France, Norway, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have imposed joint sanctions on West Bank individuals they accuse of “horrific abuses against Palestinian civilians.”
The foreign ministers of all six countries jointly announced the move on Tuesday.
All six countries have recognized the State of Palestine and claimed that the new sanctions will help to “preserve the viability of the two-State solution.”
The ministers’ statements – although with different wording – all condemn extremist settler violence in the West Bank. They accuse this phenomenon of driving forced displacement of Palestinian communities and undermining the viability of a two-state solution, as well as broader regional peace and security.
“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,” said France’s Jean-Noël Barrot.
He claimed that some settlers commit violence under the protection of Israeli security forces, and urged the Israeli government to “take steps to ensure that perpetrators of violence in the West Bank are truly held accountable.”
The UK is specifically imposing sanctions on six entities and one individual involved in “financing, enabling and carrying out settler violence in the occupied West Bank” and Canada is listing two individuals and five entities.
Those designated individuals and entities will face asset freezes and possibly travel bans and Director Disqualifications.
UK – no economic involvement in illegal settlements
For the first time, the UK Foreign Secretary has also announced that the UK’s official guidance explicitly advises businesses against economic and financial activity in illegal settlements.
The UK continues to support trade with Israel within the 1967 lines, but states that there should be no economic involvement in illegal settlements.
“Today we are acting with our international partners to sanction those who support and sponsor violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank,” said UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
“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 said “Israel firmly rejects the disgraceful measures adopted by foreign governments against Israeli citizens, entities, and a government minister.”
“The real essence of these steps is the attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel and concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – camouflaged as measures against violence.”
“What these governments have in common is their resounding failure to combat the antisemitism that is rampant in their own countries. Anti-Israeli policies of the kind adopted today only serve to fuel that antisemitism.”
It also noted that these same governments have failed to impose sanctions or take action against the Palestinian Authority’s salaries for terrorists (“pay-for-slay”) policy and incitement.
Israel’s foreign ministry said “Israel firmly rejects the disgraceful measures adopted by foreign governments against Israeli citizens, entities, and a government minister.”
“The real essence of these steps is the attempt to impose a political stance regarding the right of Jews to settle in the Land of Israel and concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – camouflaged as measures against violence.”
“What these governments have in common is their resounding failure to combat the antisemitism that is rampant in their own countries. Anti-Israeli policies of the kind adopted today only serve to fuel that antisemitism.”
It also noted that these same governments have failed to impose sanctions or take action against the Palestinian Authority’s salaries for terrorists (“pay-for-slay”) policy and incitement.
