Canada Takes Action Against Four Extremist Israeli Settlers in West Bank
On May 16, Canada used its first set of sanctions against the internationally recognised Israeli settler “extremists” in the territory of the West Bank. The latter was brought in as a pre-emptive measure aimed at preventing settlers from further unleashing their creative enterprise on the Palestinians. This decision was based on the establishment records of the US and the UK.
The sanctions happen to be focused on four persons who have been alleged to have, at one place or another, engaged in conducts either directly or indirectly participating in the killing of Palestinians and the damage of their properties. The provisions are developed meant to prevent the provision of any funds or facilitate travel to Canada for these individuals and to prohibit their access to the country, as defined by an announcement from the foreign ministry.
The Western allies, such as the European Union and New Zealand, have been even more vocal about shifting settlers in the West Bank, thus putting them in a position that may or may not lead the clash between the groups. They have imported sanctions on the settlers who are involved in violent acts and have demanded that Israel take more serious initiatives to avoid such acts.
“The Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly condemned “the growing anarchy of extremist Israeli settlers in the West bank who inflict violence on Palestinians” which proves that it is hazardous to the peace and security of the whole nation”. “The measures mentioned earlier give life to this message that says that any acts of extremist settler violence are not tolerable and that those who commit crimes of this sort will be dealt with appropriately. “
The latest update from the Occupied West Bank–the subject of intense violence–marked by a wave of attacks during the Israel-Hamas clashes. Israel’s counterattack, following the attack of Hamas on October 7th, provoked the Palestinian militants to intensify their response towards Israel, making the situation unsustainable, unlike Canada, which is a member state that recognises Hamas as a terror group and has imposed penalties to the persons lately regarded as providers of military support to the group.
Besides, Canada will provide C$65 million ($47. 8 million) as humanitarian aid for Gaza. This includes the previously declared C$25 million for the U.N. agency—the agency of the Palestinian relief organisation UNRWA—and an additional C$40 million for UNRWA and other organisations working in the region.
The area that has been a part of Israel since its capture in the 1967 Middle East war and has been a subject of the Israeli military occupation ever since is the occupied West Bank, with the settlements of Israel growing in number. The right-wing government of Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, whose administration is religion-nationalist in nature, has laxed the establishment of these settlements. The tension with Washington, as a result, is usual.
Only early in February, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken restated the US position that the West Bank settlements do not conform to international law. He also reversed the Trump policy developed by the previous administration. Whilst most of the world powers will argue otherwise, Israel rejects the idea of ‘illegal’ and is instead eloquent on this through historical claims or security issues. Many Palestinians aspire to include the land in the West Bank as part of an independent future state that would comprise Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Canada’s recent attempts are part of worldwide efforts to settle the long-lasting conflict and resolve the violence and tensions in the West Bank, including a long-term solution to all of the issues.
