UK and allies sanction 'networks' enabling settler violence in West Bank
Summary
The UK, Australia, Canada, France, and Norway have imposed sanctions on groups and individuals they say support violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. These countries aim to hold those responsible for settler attacks accountable and discourage economic activity in Israeli settlements considered illegal under international law. Israel rejected these measures, calling them political.Key Facts
- Five countries sanctioned networks that finance or enable settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
- France banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its country due to his role in settlement policies.
- Israel opposes the sanctions, calling them political acts disguised as anti-violence measures.
- Since 1967, Israel has built about 160 settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem with about 700,000 Jewish residents.
- Over 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank alongside these settlements.
- Attacks by settlers on Palestinians and their property increased greatly in 2025, with casualties and damage rising by 130% from the previous year.
- The Israeli government has approved over 100 new settlements since Prime Minister Netanyahu returned to power in 2022.
- The UK froze assets and banned travel for several entities and one individual involved in settler violence and advised businesses to avoid economic activity in illegal settlements.
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