Australia has joined a coordinated international effort to sanction individuals and organisations accused of supporting extremist settler violence in the West Bank, with the federal government announcing measures against six firms and one individual.
The sanctions were announced overnight by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) as part of a joint action involving Australia, Canada, France, Norway and the United Kingdom.
In a statement, the participating foreign ministers said the measures were aimed at holding “extremist settlers accountable for the horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians”.
The sanctions target entities and an individual accused of enabling and financing a recent increase in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
According to the joint statement, violent settlers and their supporters continue to attack Palestinians, violate human rights and use violence to displace communities and damage property.
“Extremist violent settlers, with the backing of their supporters, continue to attack Palestinians and abuse their human rights,” the statement said.
“They use violence to displace Palestinians, destroy property and perpetuate the illegal settlement enterprise, undermining the viability of the State of Palestine and the prospects for peaceful coexistence.”
The foreign ministers said violent settlers had for too long been able to act with limited consequences while settlement expansion and the establishment of outposts continued with the support and facilitation of the Israeli government.
The statement also alleged that some incidents of settler violence had occurred under the protection of Israeli security forces.
The five countries urged the Israeli government to take stronger action to ensure accountability for violence in the West Bank.
“The Government of Israel should ensure every attack is swiftly and thoroughly investigated, take action against the outposts and organisations that allow violence to flourish, and stop the incitement of violence,” the statement said.
The ministers linked the sanctions to broader international efforts to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.
“We believe that peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through the implementation of the two-state solution.”
The statement noted that Australia, Canada, France, Norway and the United Kingdom had all taken what it described as the “historic decision” to recognise the State of Palestine, saying the move reflected support for Palestinian rights and efforts to maintain the viability of a two-state solution.
The coordinated sanctions represent the latest diplomatic action by the five governments as international concern grows over conditions in the West Bank.
The countries also indicated they could take further measures if the situation does not improve.
“We stand ready to take more action if the Government of Israel does not take urgent steps to address the situation on the ground,” the statement said.
The announcement comes amid continued international scrutiny of violence in the West Bank and renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at advancing a lasting political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians.