Sanctions on settlers not enough: Target Israeli gov’t, say campaigners
Summary
Several Western countries have imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers and far-right ministers involved in violence against Palestinians. However, human rights groups and Palestinian leaders say these measures do not hold the Israeli government responsible for its role in expanding settlements on occupied Palestinian land.Key Facts
- The UK, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway coordinated sanctions against individuals and groups linked to settler violence on June 9, 2026.
- France banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, settler group leaders, and settlers from entering the country.
- Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have faced previous sanctions for their support of settler violence.
- Critics say the sanctions target only a few people and do not address the broader role of the Israeli government in settlement expansion.
- The population of Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has grown from about 250,000 in the early 1990s to over 700,000 now.
- The International Court of Justice advised in 2024 that states should not recognize or assist Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, but the EU has not fully enforced trade bans with settlements.
- Goods produced in settlements, like dates and cosmetics, continue to enter European markets despite EU guidelines.
- Human rights advocates warn that focusing on individual settlers distracts from holding Israeli government leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accountable for the policies behind settlement growth.
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