Canada’s government announced additional sanctions to be imposed on extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, marking a first of its kind in Canada. The decision to implement these new sanctions has reportedly been influenced by a significant increase in the intensity of attacks in the region.
The sanctions, to be applied under the Canadian Special Economics Measures Act, will prohibit transactions with the designated individuals and obstruct their entry into Canada. Included in the sanction list are individuals who, according to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, have shown a demonstrably high level of involvement in perpetuating violence and initiating attacks on Palestinians.
- David Chai Chasdai
- Yinon Levi
- Zvi Bar Yosef
- Moshe Sharvit
Extreme Israeli settlers have forcibly occupied Palestinian territories, with the West Bank considered occupied by international standards. The severity of the settler-led attacks has resulted in substantial displacement, as reported by the Israeli Information Centre for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. Just up until April 17, there have been 157 families displaced from the West Bank from 18 communities.
Moreover, Human Rights Watch details how Israeli extremist settlers have committed violent crimes, including murder, sexual assault, and torture, with the Israeli military being accused of supporting these attacks. However, the IDF has refuted these allegations, claiming they have attempted to dissipate violent riots.
International reactions to this increasing violence have followed suit with Canada’s approach. The UK Government has announced its own sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers, and the US has issued sanctions against these four men. Whether Canada plans to institute further sanctions akin to the strategies of the US and UK is currently uncertain.