Six Western Nations Impose Coordinated Sanctions on Networks Enabling West Bank Settler Violence

Six Western nations, namely Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Spain, and New Zealand, announced on Tuesday the imposition of sanctions on networks involved in facilitating violence and attacks perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. A statement issued by the British government clarified that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper would announce these coordinated sanctions with international partners before Parliament. These measures target individuals and entities involved in funding and facilitating settler violence in the occupied West Bank and push for the urgent implementation of a 20-point peace plan. Britain strongly warned companies against engaging in any activities within illegal Israeli settlements. London added that it is taking additional steps to support recovery efforts in the Gaza Strip, including providing £1 million for humanitarian demining, in addition to at least £10 million to support the Palestinian Authority (PA) in overcoming its financial crisis and ensuring the continuity of essential services. **France Bans Entry for Israeli Figures** For his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced in a post on "X" that his country, in cooperation with its British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander, and Norwegian partners, is imposing new sanctions on those responsible for escalating settlement activities and violence in the West Bank. The French minister added that, at a national level, Paris has banned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, four leaders of settlement organizations, and 21 violent settlers from entering French territory. Barrot noted that Bezalel Smotrich "actively and openly promotes the annexation of the West Bank, the establishment of new settlements there, the re-settlement of Gaza, and the economic collapse of the Palestinian Authority, with dire consequences for the Palestinian people." He stressed that "this is a policy that the overwhelming majority of the international community, firmly committed to a two-state solution, cannot accept." Britain will impose sanctions on six entities and one individual involved in financing, enabling, and carrying out settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Australia and New Zealand had already published coordinated sanctions last week. Individuals and entities listed will face asset freezes, and where appropriate, travel bans and prohibitions from holding administrative positions. These sanctions aim to disrupt funding flows that have allowed extremist settler groups to operate unchecked in the West Bank, and underscore London's commitment to a two-state solution. **Additional British Aid** Foreign Secretary Cooper is expected to state in her parliamentary address: "Today, we are working with our international partners to sanction those who support and promote violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank. Settlement expansion and the accompanying violence are illegal, and constitute a fundamental threat to the possibility of a two-state solution, and to long-term peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis." The statement stipulates that "these actions demonstrate that the United Kingdom, in cooperation with its partners, is leading efforts to target those who fuel this violence. Britain continues to urge the Government of Israel to halt settlement expansion, suppress settler violence, prosecute those responsible, and lift restrictions on the functioning of the Palestinian economy. The United Kingdom will not hesitate to take further action if the situation does not improve." The Foreign Secretary is also expected to announce an additional £1 million from London for humanitarian demining efforts in Gaza, adding to the £4 million previously provided. Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary will confirm the provision of at least £10 million in financial and technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority in 2026, including support for overcoming the financial crisis and maintaining essential services such as healthcare. Cooper called on the Israeli government to open all crossings and remove arbitrary restrictions imposed on the delivery of humanitarian aid and equipment to ensure British assistance reaches all those in dire need. She will also announce her participation in the Palestinian Donors Group meeting scheduled for Paris next July, to push for a coordinated approach with other key partners. In a related context, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights indicated that "horrific images" of Israeli settler crowds reflect a broader pattern of increasing violence against Palestinians. For the first time, the British Foreign Office announced that official UK guidance would explicitly advise companies to avoid economic and financial activities in illegal settlements. The British government stated that it continues its support for trade with Israel within the 1967 borders, but emphasizes the necessity of avoiding any economic involvement in illegal settlements. It added that these steps come amidst continued illegal settlement expansion, including the E1 project, which further undermines the possibility of a two-state solution, and unprecedented levels of settler violence deliberately designed to destroy Palestinian homes and livelihoods in the West Bank. The anticipated measures are part of a broader British effort to promote peace and security in Israel and Palestine. This includes supporting the implementation of the 20-point plan for Gaza and protecting and promoting a viable Palestinian state.