Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Israeli Extremist Settlers

The Canadian government, under the leadership of Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, has announced new sanctions against two individuals, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for their roles in facilitating extreme settler violence in the West Bank. This move is part of a broader effort to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region, which has resulted in the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and threatened the viability of a two-state solution. The sanctions are being implemented in coordination with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, and are aimed at individuals who have provided political cover to perpetrators of settler violence and contributed to a more permissive environment for harassment and violence against Palestinian civilians.

Key Takeaways:

• The Canadian government has imposed new sanctions on two individuals, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, for their roles in facilitating extreme settler violence in the West Bank.
• The sanctions are part of a broader effort to address the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region, which has resulted in the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and threatened the viability of a two-state solution.
• The Canadian government continues to support Israel's security, but opposes the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
• Canada is committed to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, and will continue to work with the Israeli government and other partners to achieve this goal.
• The sanctions focus on the West Bank, but the Canadian government recognizes that the situation in Gaza is a catastrophe and has called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of remaining hostages, and unhindered access to humanitarian aid.
• The two individuals sanctioned, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, are accused of providing political cover to perpetrators of settler violence and contributing to a more permissive environment for harassment and violence against Palestinian civilians.
• The Canadian government acknowledges the need for a reconstructed Gaza, where Hamas has no part, and ultimately a political pathway to a two-state solution.

Statistics:

• 2 individuals sanctioned by Canada for their roles in facilitating extreme settler violence in the West Bank.
• The sanctions are coordinated with the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway.
• The West Bank and East Jerusalem have seen a significant expansion of settlements, leading to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities.
• There has been a recent escalation of violence by Israeli extremist settlers and affiliates against Palestinian civilians, including in East Jerusalem.
• Over 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza have been living under a blockade for over 15 years.
• A two-state solution has been threatened by the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the region.

Sources:

• Government of Canada. (2023). News Release: Canada Imposes New Sanctions on Individuals Supporting Israeli Extremist Settlers.