Canada on Thursday imposed sanctions on seven Israeli settlers it said had taken part in extremist violence in the West Bank. It was the second time in just over a month that Ottawa has taken such action.
The Canadian Foreign Ministry said it had also imposed punitive measures on five entities, including settler organizations.
“We remain deeply concerned by extremist settler violence in the West Bank and condemn such acts, not only for the significant impact they have on Palestinian lives but also for the corrosive impact they have on prospects for lasting peace,” Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.
Violence in the West Bank was already at a more than 15-year high in 2023 and surged after the October 7 terrorist attack and the IDF’s response.
The targeted Israelis include: Ben-Zion “Bentzi” Gopstein, the founder and leader of Lehava, a right-wing group; Elisha Yered, who has justified killing Palestinians on religious grounds; and Shalom Zicherman, who the US State Department earlier this year said had assaulted Israeli activists and their vehicles in the West Bank.
Canada’s sanctions follow similar measures by the United States and Britain.
The measures prohibit dealings related to the individuals and render them inadmissible to Canada, the Foreign Ministry said. Ottawa imposed sanctions on four settlers last month.
Decision is 'scandalous'
Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, said Canada’s decision was “scandalous” and supports terrorism and Hamas.
“Those who impose immoral and illegal sanctions against Jewish entities fully share [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar’s vision and create an existential threat to the State of Israel,” he said. “In its decision, Canada encourages terrorists and anarchists to continue attacking communities throughout Judea and Samaria and all of Israel.”
The Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must respond to this move with “facts on the ground and reverse the equation,” Gantz said.
“Any such decision should further the State of Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria,” he said.