Canada to Impose Sanctions on West Bank Settlers and Hamas Leaders

Title: Canada to Sanction Israeli Settlers and Hamas Leaders

OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada is set to implement sanctions against Israeli settlers who promote violence in the West Bank and will also introduce new sanctions targeting Hamas leaders, announced Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Sunday. This statement follows similar actions taken by the United States the previous week.

Last Thursday, the U.S. government sanctioned four Israeli individuals accused of involvement in violent activities in the occupied territory.

In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Joly stated that certain settlers "will be sanctioned," and emphasized the intention to impose additional sanctions on Hamas leaders. "We’re working actively on it," she remarked while in Ukraine. "I am ensuring that while I’m in Ukraine, the necessary actions are being taken in Ottawa, and I look forward to making an announcement soon."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also indicated on Friday that he is considering sanctions against "extremist" settlers in the West Bank.

Since the 1967 Middle East war, Israel has maintained occupation over the West Bank, an area Palestinians seek for an independent state. The construction of Jewish settlements in this region is regarded as illegal by the majority of nations, although Israel disputes this, referencing historical and biblical claims to the land.

The West Bank has experienced increased unrest, reaching unprecedented levels in the 18 months leading up to Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. The situation has further escalated following retaliatory actions by Israeli forces in Gaza.