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Violence

Canada Imposes Sanctions on Two Israeli Officials Amidst Human Rights Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Government of Canada has taken action to address human rights concerns in the occupied Palestinian territories by designating two officials of the State of Israel, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Yoel Smotrich, under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations. This move aims to prevent these individuals from engaging in activities that undermine peace and security in the region by supporting violence against Palestinian civilians or their property in the West Bank.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Government of Canada has designated two Israeli officials, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Yoel Smotrich, under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.
  • The designation prohibits Canadian individuals and entities from dealing with, providing services to, or transferring property to these listed individuals.
  • These measures also render the designated individuals inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
  • The regulations allow listed individuals to apply for removal from the Schedule, subject to a review by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
  • The designations aim to prevent the listed individuals from directly facilitating or supporting extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians or their property in the West Bank.
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair have issued statements condemning extremist settler violence and supporting the sanctions.
  • The International Community, including the European Union and the United Nations, has also expressed concerns over human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Statistics:

  • Canada has designated 2 officials of the State of Israel under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.
  • The sanctions prohibit dealings with, services to, or property transfers to the listed individuals in Canada.
  • The designated individuals are also inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
  • According to a 2022 report by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability, over 60% of international companies operating in Israel have ties to the Israeli occupation.

Sources:

  • Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations [Canada Gazette, Volume 156, Number 5]
  • Government of Canada News Release: Canada imposes sanctions on two Israeli officials
  • Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada on Human Rights in the Occupied Territories of Palestine
  • Statement by the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada on Human Rights in the Occupied Territories of Palestine
  • Report: " Impacts of Israeli Occupation on Palestinian Rights" by United Nations Human Rights Council

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