For the first time, Canada sanctions Israelis

Photo: Justin Tang The Canadian Press “Recent attacks by extremist Israeli settlers have experienced an alarming escalation,” writes Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly in a publication on X.

Four Israeli settlers in the West Bank are now targeted by Canadian sanctions, joining on Thursday a list of unsavory individuals linked to Russia, Iran and Hamas.

“Recent attacks by extremist Israeli settlers have seen an alarming escalation,” said Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly in a publication on X.

For the first time On Thursday, his government imposed sanctions on Israeli settlers under the Special Economic Measures Act. David Chai Chasdai, Yinon Levi, Zvi Bar Yosef and Moshe Sharvit are accused of violence which resulted in a “serious attack on international peace and security”. These individuals are already subject to American or British sanctions.

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“Attacks by extremist Israeli settlers – a long-standing source of tension and conflict in the region – have increased alarmingly in recent months,” explains the Canadian diplomacy press release.

A United Nations report is cited to claim that at least 800 attacks have been carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians since the Hamas offensive on October 7. Verbal and physical attacks, killings, or acts of destruction of property “have led to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities and contributed concretely to the increase in regional insecurity,” it reads.

The Canadian government considers that these actions compromise the “two-state solution”, that is, the creation of a Palestinian state cohabiting peacefully with Israel. Under the decree that took effect Thursday, Israeli settlers targeted by the new sanctions can no longer do business with Canadian banks, for example.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, which Canada does not recognize as legitimate. This Palestinian territory is separated from the Gaza Strip, where a major Israeli military operation against Hamas is currently taking place, which is having significant repercussions on the civilian population.

Canada recently abstained from a vote at the UN General Assembly to make Palestine a full member, but argued that failing to oppose the resolution itself represents a evolution of its position, traditionally stuck to the interests of Israel.

Ottawa at the same time criticized the behavior of the Netanyahu government, in Israel, for not subscribing to the solution two states. Minister Mélanie Joly is currently abroad, on a tour of countries that voted in favor of the inclusion of Palestine in the UN: Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon and Turkey.

The humanitarian situation has deteriorated in Gaza since Israel closed the border crossing between the town of Rafah and Egypt, causing famine, the UN warns. Operations of its World Food Program were suspended on Saturday due to lack of supplies.

In a separate announcement, Canada pledged Thursday to provide an additional $65 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Last week, Canada announced sanctions against three Iranian officials, and a person linked to Palestinian Hamas, for having strengthened the terrorist capabilities of this organization.