Canada Follows US in Imposing First Sanctions Against Israeli Settlers

Canada announced its first-ever sanctions on Thursday against Israeli settlers accused of committing acts of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

In recent months, the United Kingdom, France, the European Union, and the United States have implemented similar measures.

“The rise in violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank is deeply troubling and poses significant risks to peace and security in the region,” Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated.

The sanctions include a ban on transactions with the settlers and their entry into Canada.

Among those targeted is David Chai Chasdai, accused of instigating a riot in the Palestinian town of Huwara, south of Nablus, which led to the death of a Palestinian civilian. Three others, Zvi Bar Yosef, Moshe Sharvit, and Yinon Levi, also face US sanctions and are accused of repeatedly harassing, assaulting, and threatening local Palestinians.

Israel has maintained control over areas of the West Bank, home to three million Palestinians, since 1967. Around 490,000 Israeli settlers live there in communities considered illegal under international law.

Settler violence in the West Bank reached a peak not seen in over 15 years in 2023 and escalated further following the commencement of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

According to Palestinian authorities, at least 491 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers across the West Bank since Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. Most of these casualties occurred in violent clashes with Israeli troops, although a few were shot dead by settlers during altercations.

Since October 7, troops have apprehended approximately 4,000 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including over 1,700 affiliated with Hamas.