UK, Canada, France and Norway sanction Israeli settlement officials over West Bank violence

The foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Norway issued a joint statement announcing sanctions aimed at Israeli officials and settlement groups linked to escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. France barred entry for finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, four settlement organisation leaders and 21 individuals identified as “violent settlers.” The United Kingdom’s package seeks to cut financial flows that enable extremist settlement activity and includes a construction firm involved in demolishing Palestinian homes. Canada’s sanctions target a different construction company and its owners, and prohibit Canadian citizens from dealing with the listed persons and entities. The four governments warned that further measures will follow if the Israeli government does not take urgent steps to curb the violence. Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the actions, accusing the countries of fostering antisemitism. The move follows similar sanctions announced earlier by Australia and New Zealand and reflects growing international pressure over settlement expansion, including concerns about the planned “E1” project east of East Jerusalem.