Canada imposes second round of sanctions on perpetrators of extremist settler violence against civilians in West Bank

News release

June 27, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing new sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.

This round of sanctions lists seven individuals and five entities for their role in facilitating, supporting or financially contributing to acts of violence by Israeli extremist settlers against Palestinian civilians and their property.

Extremist settler violence has resulted in loss of life and damage to Palestinian property and farming lands. These attacks have also resulted in the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, contributing to insecurity for both Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank.

Attacks by extremist Israeli settlers—a long-standing source of tension and conflict in the region—undermine the human rights of Palestinians, prospects for a two-state solution and pose significant risks to regional security.

The seven individuals are the following:

  • Ben Zion Gopstein
  • Daniella Weiss
  • Einan Ben-Nir Amram Tanjil
  • Elisha Yered
  • Ely Federman
  • Meir Mordechai Ettinger
  • Shalom Zicherman

The five entities are the following:

  • Amana
  • Hilltop Youth
  • Lehava
  • Moshe’s Farm
  • Zvi’s Farm

Canada continues to oppose the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and is committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Quotes

“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. We call on authorities to ensure the protection of civilians and hold perpetrators of such violence accountable.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs   

Quick facts

  • The United Nations reported that since October 7, 2023, there have been at least 800 attacks by settlers against Palestinians.

  • Canada does not recognize permanent Israeli control over the territories occupied in 1967. 

  • The 1949 Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Fourth Geneva Convention) applies in the occupied territories and establishes Israel’s obligations as an occupying power, particularly with respect to the humane treatment of the inhabitants of the occupied territories.

  • As referred to in UN Security Council resolutions 446 (1979) and 465 (1980), Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The settlements also constitute a serious obstacle to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

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