Canada issues new sanctions against Israeli settlers for their attacks on civilians in the West Bank

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June 27 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Canadian government announced Thursday new sanctions against seven Israeli citizens and five organizations for their involvement in “acts of violence” committed by extremist settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and their property.

Those accused are accused of “facilitating, supporting or contributing financially” to these acts of violence, which have increased since the beginning of the Israeli Army’s military offensive on the Gaza Strip.

“Violence by extremist settlers has led to loss of life and damage to Palestinian property and agricultural land. These attacks have also led to the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, contributing to the insecurity of Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry stresses that such violent episodes “undermine Palestinian human rights and the prospects for a two-state solution” while “posing significant risks to regional security.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that these attacks not only endanger the lives of Palestinians but also any prospect of lasting peace. She urged the Israeli government to put a stop to such actions and punish those responsible.

This is the second time since May that the Canadian Government has imposed sanctions against groups and individuals related to these attacks, thus following in the wake left by some of its partners such as the United Kingdom, the United States and the EU.

Some of these sanctioned organizations, such as Amana, build illegal settlements and outposts in the West Bank, while others, such as Lehava, persecute public activities of non-Jews in Israel and oppose mixed marriages.

Since the start of Israel’s bloody offensive on the Gaza Strip – which has already left more than 37,760 dead – the United Nations has recorded at least 800 attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians. The year 2023 is already the deadliest in the West Bank since the UN began collecting data.