Australia has today imposed further Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions against three additional Israeli individuals and four additional entities in response to escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Today's measures designate individuals and entities for targeted financial sanctions, and declare the individuals for travel bans.
Australia has coordinated with partners including New Zealand in imposing these measures.
They build on sanctions Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom previously imposed, which included Israeli Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich. For the first time, designated entities now include farming outposts that serve as hubs for settler violence.
Australia is steadfast in its commitment to the two-state solution as the only pathway to enduring peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, threaten the viability of a two-state solution, and are a major obstacle to peace.
Following the horrors of Hamas' attack on 7 October 2023 and subsequent devastating conflict in Gaza, maintaining momentum towards a two-state solution remains more important than ever.
The Israeli Government must uphold its obligations under international law. The Australian Government and international partners continue to call on Israel to take urgent action to end settler violence, ensure accountability for perpetrators and stop extremist, violent and expansionist rhetoric.
Settler violence is used to displace Palestinians and perpetuate the settlement enterprise, through destruction of property, displacement of families, beatings, sexual assault, and torture, resulting in serious injuries and deaths.
The individuals and entities sanctioned today have undermined Israel's own security and its standing in the world and harmed the interests of the Israeli people. Australia's imposition of sanctions against them reflects our commitment to Israel and Palestine's security and future.
