Western Nations Impose Sanctions on Israeli Settler Networks
WHO:
AP News - A coalition of six countries: Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Norway, and New Zealand.
AP News - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a hard-line Israeli cabinet minister.
AP News - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
AP News - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
AP News - Israel’s Ambassador to France Joshua Zarka.
WHAT:
AP News - France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Bezalel Smotrich is “actively promoting” the annexation of the West Bank and the expansion of Israeli settlements, which he claims has harmful consequences for Palestinians.
AP News - British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the U.K. is imposing sanctions on six entities and individuals involved in financing settlements or violent acts, targeting "some of the most notorious individuals" and "the most significant settler entities."
AP News - New joint sanctions were issued on Israeli settlers and settlements in the West Bank.
AP News - France barred Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country.
AP News - France also barred four leaders of settler organizations and 21 settlers accused of violence from entering French territory.
AP News - The U.K. imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals involved in financing settlements or violent acts.
AP News - More than 700,000 Israelis live in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem.
WHERE:
AP News - The West Bank, territories captured by Israel in 1967 from Jordan.
AP News - France, United Kingdom.
WHY:
BBC News - The joint statement from the British, Australian, Canadian, French, and Norwegian foreign ministers emphasized that "violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity" and that "settler violence takes place under the protection of Israel's security forces."
AP News - The sanctions were escalated due to a wave of violence against Palestinians in the occupied territory.
AP News - The international community considers Israeli settlement construction in these areas illegal and an obstacle to peace.
AP News - Barrot stated that Smotrich's policies have harmful consequences for Palestinians and are unacceptable to the majority of the international community.
HOW:
AP News - The sanctions were announced in a joint statement by the top diplomats of the six countries.
AP News - The U.K. targeted "some of the most notorious individuals" and "the most significant settler entities" in their sanctions.
(UPDATED June 10, 2026 06:23 UTC)
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has accused Bezalel Smotrich of actively promoting the annexation of the West Bank and expanding Israeli settlements, which he claims negatively impacts Palestinians. In response to ongoing tensions, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that the U.K. is imposing sanctions on six entities and individuals linked to financing settlements or violent acts. This move follows a joint statement from foreign ministers of several countries, highlighting concerns that "violent settlers have been able to act with near impunity" under the protection of Israel's security forces.
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(UPDATED June 9, 2026 23:25 UTC)
A coalition of six countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Norway, and New Zealand, has announced new joint sanctions targeting Israeli settlers and settlements in the West Bank due to escalating violence against Palestinians. France has barred Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the country, along with four leaders of settler organizations and 21 settlers accused of violence, while the U.K. has imposed sanctions on six entities and individuals involved in financing settlements or violent acts. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that Smotrich's policies are unacceptable to the majority of the international community, which views Israeli settlement construction in the occupied territories as illegal and a barrier to peace.