Foreign Ministers of Five Countries Impose Sanctions on Settlers

SadaNews: Amid the deteriorating conditions in the West Bank, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement announcing the imposition of sanctions and measures to ensure accountability for extremist settlers regarding their acts of violence against Palestinian civilians. The ministers also affirmed their countries' recognition of the State of Palestine.

Below is the official statement:

In light of the worsening conditions in the West Bank, we, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom, have coordinated efforts to impose sanctions and take other measures to ensure accountability for extremist settlers regarding the horrific acts of violence they commit against Palestinian civilians.

Violent extremist settlers, supported by their backers, continue to launch attacks against Palestinians and violate their human rights. They resort to violence to displace Palestinians, destroy their properties, and continue illegal settlement expansion, undermining the foundations of a State of Palestine and the prospects for peaceful coexistence.

For too long, violent settlers have acted with near impunity, as settlement expansion and the establishment of outposts continue with the support and assistance of the Israeli government. In some cases, settlers commit acts of violence under the protection of Israeli security forces. We continue to urge the Israeli government to take the necessary measures to ensure accountability for perpetrators of violence in the West Bank. The Israeli government must ensure a thorough and swift investigation into every assault, take action against outposts and organizations that fuel violence, and put an end to incitement to violence.

We believe that the effective implementation of a two-state solution is the only way to achieve peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. We will continue to work together to achieve this goal.

Australia, Canada, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom have all made the historic decision to recognize the State of Palestine, reaffirming the rights of the Palestinian people and as part of our joint efforts to maintain the viability of the two-state solution. Today, we are once again taking measures in the same direction.

We remain prepared to take further measures if the Israeli government does not promptly address the prevailing situation.